Drinkers of green tea are said to be not as susceptible to cancer as are non-drinkers. Clinical studies have borne this out. It has been popular with the Chinese for many years – they have known about the health benefits for generations. Its popularity in the West has been a relatively recent phenomenon. Cancer rates are known to be lower in those countries that have a higher consumption of herbal tea than others. The polyphenol content of green tea is said to be effective in fighting off cancer cells.
Various tests carried out on animals have proven that green tea can help in reducing the formation of certain tumors in the skin, bladder, esophagus, ovary, pancreas, and prostate. The results showed that EGCG or epigallocatechin (the primary polyphenol) with its antioxidant effect, was the main reason for the success against cancer. There are other polyphenols which help but this is the most notable.
Studies using green tea to combat esophageal cancer produced different results with women as compared to men. Remarkably, women were protected from esophageal cancer but men were susceptible to it. The study concluded and recommended that further studies should be conducted with regards to the effect of herbal tea on esophageal cancer.
Another area of cancer research is the human bladder. In this instance, the consumption of green tea was shown to be equally effective against the disease in both men and women. Even among those with bladder cancer already, it was showed that they had a better chance of survival if they were consuming the tea.
It was also shown to be effective against both pancreatic cancer and ovarian cancer. Conclusive studies have been carried out in China to this end. In general, those who drink just one cup a day were shown to live longer than those who don’t. The research is ongoing and much more testing needs to be done, but the results up to this point are an endorsement for the use of green tea.
It was also shown to be effective against prostate cancer, which is one of the most common forms of cancer found in men. By increasing the frequency, and the amount of tea consumed, this will have a positive effect in both preventing, and counteracting the development of this disease.
Cancer has always been a health problem in different age groups. For many years, doctors and researchers have fought against cancer and finally, they came up with an excellent remedy that is not very expensive. So while you’re still young and healthy, make it a part of your diet.