Score Another Win for Coffee: It Reduces Your Risk of Skin Cancer

Damn, Coffee, is there anything you can’t do? New research shows that in addition to warding off depression in women, generally staving off death (for realz), and keeping me reasonably functional during the day, coffee is now linked to a lower risk of skin cancer.

A study published in the journal Cancer Research found that those  found those who drank three or more cups of coffee a day had a 20 percent lower risk of basal cell carcinoma. The study looked at nearly 113,000 men and women.

“I think we’re seeing more and more evidence for the beneficial effects of coffee consumption,” said study author and my new BFF Jiali Han, associate professor of dermatology and epidemiology at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard School of Public Health, explaining that coffee has also been linked to a reduced risk of diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. “I wouldn’t recommend drinking coffee solely based on this work, but it does add one more thing to the list.”

Um, you had me at beneficial effects, Dr. Han.

The study found that caffeine from other sources, including cola, tea, and chocolate, were also beneficial. Decaf coffee did not produce the same results.

Obviously, what all of this means is that coffee is a gift from the gods, and we should worship at the Altar of Starbucks at every possible opportunity. Especially me, since I have a ridiculously high skin cancer risk. My grandfather had melanoma, and I have a history of dysplastic moles. I go to the dermatologist twice a year for my Mole Patrol, slather on sunblock, and cover up at the beach to the point that I look like something out of a vintage postcard. And now I have something else to add to my arsenal! Woo-hoo!

So now my skin health plan looks like this:

I do what I can.

(via ABC News)

(Image Credits: Joslyn Gray for Strollerderby)

Read more from Joslyn at Babble Pets and at her blog, stark. raving. mad. mommy. You can also follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

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