Drinking Tea Fights Cancer Studies Show
Tea drinkers rejoice! Studies show that drinking tea reduces the risk of some cancers in humans. Previously tea was thought to have cardiovascular benefits, but there is mounting evidence that tea has cancer-fighting properties as well. Specifically, the antioxidant properties in green, black and oolong or real tea are cited in these studies. These teas originate from the camellia sinensis plant and are excellent sources of polyphenols or plant chemicals (phytochemicals).
In particular real tea is rich in flavonoids, powerful antioxidants, which have been highly touted as a primary staple in the diet of the Okinawan people of Japan, otherwise known as the healthiest people on earth. Herbal teas are derived from a different plant source and lack the antioxidant properties of the flavanoids in real tea.
Antioxidants help protect the body against disease by counteracting the harmful effects of free radicals - stray, highly reactive particles that accumulate in the body as byproducts of metabolism. Free radicals injure surrounding cells through oxidation. Left unchecked they can damage cellular DNA and potentially cause cancer.
Antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E and beta-carotene are free radical scavengers. But research from both the National Foundation for Cancer Research and the University of Kansas reports that green tea is 100 times more potent than vitamin C and 25 times more potent than vitamin E at protecting cells from damage linked to cancer, heart disease and other illnesses. In addition, indications are that black tea contains the same amount of phytochemicals as green tea.
Most of the data supporting the anti-cancer benefits of tea at this point is derived from animal studies in which animals were treated with polyphenols equivalent to amounts consumed by regular tea drinkers. Evidence is the strongest for prevention of cancers of the oral cavity, stomach and colon. A few animal studies link tea with a decreased risk of lung and skin cancers . Studies in humans have been less consistent but still suggest that tea has anticancer benefits. So drink tea to your health!