title: Skin photoprotection and consumption of coffee and polyphenols in healthy middle-aged Japanese females.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reactive oxygen species are known to mediate skin photoaging, which results in the formation of pigmented spots and wrinkles. Coffee is the largest source of polyphenols, which supplies a large number of antioxidants in one's daily life. However, little is known about how much coffee and polyphenol consumption influences skin health. In this study, a cross-sectional survey of the diet, environmental factors, and skin conditions was conducted in healthy Japanese females to explore the influence of coffee and polyphenol consumption on skin conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Non-smoking, healthy female subjects with moderate sun exposure in their daily lives were recruited for this study (n = 131, age range: 30-60 years old) and recorded their food and beverage intake and life circumstances using questionnaires. The skin water content, transepidermal water loss, and elasticity were measured on the cheek of each subject using non-invasive methods: a Corneometer, a Tewameter, and a Cutometer, respectively. Wrinkles and pigmented spots were evaluated using digital photograph images.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Consumption of coffee and total polyphenols from all sources and from coffee showed a statistically significant correlation towards a decrease in pigmented spot scores (P < 0.05). Subjects with high total polyphenol consumption from coffee or chlorogenic acids (the third tertile group) showed the lowest score of ultraviolet pigmented spots (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Coffee and polyphenol consumption was associated with low facial pigmented spots in Japanese middle-aged females. We speculated that coffee helps protect human skin from photoaging, and polyphenols, including chlorogenic acids, may contribute to the decreased hyperpigmentation of pigmented spots.
authors.affiliation: Wellness Communications Section, Nestlé Japan Ltd, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fukushima
authors.forename: Yoshinari
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Yusuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hori
authors.forename: Yoshimi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kishimoto
authors.forename: Kaedeko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shiga
authors.forename: Yuiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Masunaga
authors.forename: Mariko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tani
authors.forename: Mihoko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yokoyama
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kondo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D003069:Coffee; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D059808:Polyphenols; D012867:Skin; D015595:Skin Aging; D013472:Sunlight; D013473:Sunscreening Agents
chemical_list: D003069:Coffee; D059808:Polyphenols; D013473:Sunscreening Agents