Researchers from Rutgers University have recently reported that the combination of exercise and caffeine in mice increased apoptosis, a cell's self-destruction, in precancerous cells that were damaged by the sun's ultraviolet-B radiation.

According to Dr. Allan H. Conney, there is a protective effect observed from either exercise or caffeine, but combined, this protection is even more than the sum of the two.

The mice who drank caffeine had a 95 percent increase in apoptosis of damaged cells and the mice who exercised showed a 120 percent increase. However, the mice that did both saw a 400 percent increase in cell death of damaged cells.

Conney expects that this will apply to humans and not just mice, but cautions that it must be tested first and people should continue to use sunscreen.

Bubble bubble boil and trouble, look what the soft drink industry scientists have conjoured up as a way to boost the sagging sales of the sugary calorie-laden beverages an emerging weight conscious nation has begun to reject in favor of healthier choices in quenching thirst.

Hoping to appeal to the battle-of-the-bulge crowd and school administrators looking to ban soft drinks from school vending machines, beverage makers like Coca-Cola, Nestle, Snapple and Celsius are hoping consumers will be drawn to try drinks said to boost metabolism and burn up to a 100 calories per drink. Made with green tea and caffeine, the new product does not come cheap. A four-pack of Celsius costs $6.99, according to the price quoted in the LA Times New soft drinks claim to speed up metabolism.

Granted, based on previous research findings, the antioxidant epigallo catechin gallate (EGCG) found in green tea holds some promise in cancer prevention, but loose-leaf green tea is far less expensive than the new soft drinks being marketed as a replacement to obesity-inducing soft drinks. The new drinks are also causing some scientific eyebrow raising as to the true weight loss the consumer might realistically expect to experience.

I am not against healthier drinks, but in this case, it seems as if the simple exercise of moving more, eating less and drinking eight ounces of water a day might be as effective, if not more effective, in maintaining a healthy weight. For the antioxidant benefit of EGCG, a cup or two of green tea. I could be wrong about the new soft drinks, but at this point in time, I remain hesitant to embrace negative-calorie magic bullets.

I am curious: Will you try the new drinks? Do you think they are worth the price?

Earlier this month, I shared the results of a study that drinking coffee reduces the risk of a genetic type of breast cancer. Good news for women who enjoy a cup of java -- or two -- or three -- to start the day. I have found more good news about coffee. Did you know that a cup of coffee is the number one source of antioxidants in the U.S. diet? So this could mean that we do not get very much in the way of antioxidants in our diet, or it might be that coffee has antioxidant super powers.

"Americans get more of their antioxidants from coffee than any other dietary source. Nothing else comes close," says study leader Joe Vinson, Ph.D., a chemistry professor at the University of Scranton.

Dr. Vinson explained that, "Although fruits and vegetables are generally promoted as good sources of antioxidants, the new finding is surprising because it represents the first time that coffee has been shown to be the primary source from which most Americans get their antioxidants." Antioxidants protect from the potential damage to cells of free radicals. Past research findings have indicated that coffee provides a certain level of cancer prevention for breast, colon and liver  cancers.

Researchers analyzed the antioxidant content of more than 100 different food items, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, spices, oils and common beverages and the amount of daily consumption. Coffee was number one on the list. According to the National Coffee Association, over 50 percent of Americans drink coffee. With all the constant news concerning what is bad for you, this is better than good news for coffee drinkers.