Several studies of the late 1990s provided evidence for the chemopreventive activity of caffeine - protecting against the development of neoplasms - especially those induced by the components of cigarette smoke.

K. El-Bayoumy, F.L. Chung, Jr.J. Richie, B.S. Reddy, L. Cohen, J. Weisburger i E.L. Wynder in the collective work entitled “Dietary control of cancer”, published in Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med, suggest that the antineoplastic activity of caffeine is first of all associated with its effect on the fat balance. The suggestion is based on the fact that earlier evidence was provided for positive correlation between excessive fat intake and overweight and the incidence of neoplasms.

The conclusion of the commentator of the work seems interesting and goes like this: “Caffeine, considered harmful in the past, has become an important ally in the prophylaxis of neoplasms mainly as a harmful substance counteracting against overweight which is a well-documented risk factor of many diseases people suffer from, including cardiac and neoplastic diseases.