Green Tea: The Cancer Fighter

In the lab, researchers have been able to show that EGCG from iced green tea inhibits and prevents the growth of cancer cells.  It has proved much more difficult outside the lab with human populations to replicate this finding.  There are many issues outside the lab, including environmental factors and the amount of iced green tea needed to achieve the same results.

Because of these issues, studies on human populations have not replicated this exciting finding.  Despite the lack of scientific real world findings, there is anecdotal evidence to suggest green tea does fight cancer.

A study conducted in Japan involved 500 Japanese women with Stage I and Stage II breast cancer found that and increase in green tea consumption led to a lower recurrence of the cancers.

Studies in China have suggested that with more green tea consumed, the less the risk of developing cancers of the stomach, esophagus, prostrate, and pancreas.

The accepted theory behind the science of green teas fight against cancer is that the EGCG attacks the free radicals that cause cells to develop into cancerous cells.

Again, it has been conclusively shown in the laboratory the effects of green tea on cancer but outside the lab the proof is not quite there (yet).  With that said, most will agree that drinking green tea can not hurt and may indeed be very helpful to your health.