Doctors from the University of Southern California found that green tea lowered breast cancer risk by up to 53% [1]. A recent study from Vanderbilt School of Medicine reported in the Journal of Nutrition that regular drinkers of green tea have a 12% lower rate of breast cancer [2]. Consuming more green tea over a longer period of time was associated with the best reduction. This is just the latest study of many to document green tea’s anti-cancer benefits.
Green tea is rich in potent antioxidants called “polyphenols” that protect your DNA from damage and shortening, reduce inflammation, reduce estrogen, and reduce breast tissue density. EGCG, the primary antioxidant in green tea, has been shown to limit the growth of breast cancer cells by inhibiting the cancer’s blood supply [3]. Green tea is much more potent than regular black tea.
The recommended amount to consume is 2 to 4 cups per day [4]. Personally, I take a concentrated green tea dietary supplement supplying about 95 milligrams of polyphenols (the amount found in about 4 cups of green tea) daily because it makes it easy to get enough. I enjoy brewed green tea as often as I can. Green tea is available in great new flavors like green tea with orange and green tea with pineapple. If you are sensitive to caffeine, decaffeinated green tea and green tea supplements are available. “Tea time” is a perfect time each day to relax, reduce stress, and calm your mind.
Of course, more research is needed to elucidate green tea’s full effects. Green tea may also boost your metabolism for weight loss [5] and reduce wrinkles [6], so there is no need to wait until more research to start enjoying green tea.
References:
1. Wu AH, Yu MC, Tseng CC, Hankin J, Pike MC. Green tea and risk of breast cancer in Asian Americans. International Journal of Cancer 2003; 106:574-579.
2. Shrubsole MJ, Lu W, chen Z, Shu XO, Zheng Y, Dai Q, Cai Q, Gu K, Ruan ZX, Gao Y-T, Zheng W. Drinking green tea modestly reduces breast cancer risk. Journal of Nutrition 2009; 139:310-316.
3. Gu J-W, Young E, Covington J, Johnson JW, Tan W. Oral administration of EGCG, an antioxidant found in green tea, inhibits tumor angiogenesis and growth of breast cancer in female mice. The FASEB Journal 2008; 22:1164.3.
4. Zhang M, Holman CD, Huang JP, Xie X. Green tea and the prevention of breast cancer: a case-control study in Southeast China. Carcinogenesis 2007; 28:1074-1078.
5. Wolfram S, Wang Y, Thielecke F. Anti-obesity effects of green tea: from bedside to bench. Molecular Nutrition and Food Research 2006; 50:176-87.
6. Bae JY, Choi JS, Choi YJ, Shin SY, Kang SW, Han SJ, Kang YH. (-) Epigallocatechin gallate hampers collagen destruction and collagenase activation in ultraviolet-B-irradiated human dermal fibroblasts: involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase. Food and Chemical Toxicology 2008; 46:1298-307.
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