Indian scientists say coffee protects mice from radiation and could work the same way in humans.

Researchers at India's Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) discovered mice injected with caffeine survived high doses of normally lethal radiation.

Although the study was limited to animals, Kachadpillill George, the head of the research team, believes the findings could have implications for humans.

"It does suggest that coffee might have some beneficial effects in protecting against radiation," he told New Scientist magazine.