Researchers have investigated green tea as a potential protectant against cancer. This review focuses on studies of green tea in humans. Green tea contains polyphenols, chemicals that act as powerful antioxidants. Epidemiological and human studies have shown varying results. Thirty-one human studies and four reviews were examined. Among five studies reporting on colon cancer, three found an inverse association and one reported a positive association. For rectal cancer, only one of four studies reported an inverse association; increased risks were seen in two of the studies. An inverse association is suggested for urinary bladder cancer in two of two studies. Of 10 studies examing the association of green tea and stomach cancer, 6 suggest an inverse and 3 a positive association. The most comprehensive of these studies supports an inverse association of green tea and stomach cancer. Pancreatic cancer studies hint at an inverse association in two of three studies. A strong inverse effect was found with green tea and esophageal cancer. Lung cancer studies have shown an inverse effect with Okinawan tea, yet tentatively increased risk was shown in another study. Although human studies have their limitations, the research has warranted a further look into the effects of green tea and cancer. NOTE: It is generally understood that green tea is GOOD for cancer patients. |
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| Colo-rectal cancer in rats studied 3/00 | | | Cancer Prevention & Detection, 2000 Japan uses Green Tea for prevention | ||
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| Cancer Journal (online) 2/01 | | | Nutr Cancer, 1999 Green Tea Protects Against Prostate Cancer Protective Effect in Gastric/Esophogeal | ||
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| Int'l J of Cancer, 2001 Green Tea & Gastrointestinal Cancer | | | J Cellular Biochemistry, July, 2001 EGC & Cell Death in Cancer Cells Only Green Tea Polyphenol EGCG & BCa Cells Combination: Green Tea & Tamoxifen Effective in Breast Ca Trastuzumab-Resistant HER2-Driven Breast CaCells Sensitive to Epigallocatechin-3 Gallate | ||
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| J Nutrition, June, 2001 Black Tea/Theaflavin Equally Effective Antioxidants:Theaflavins&Catechins | | | J Nutrition, 11/01 | ||
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| Karolinska Institute, Sweden 12/01 | | | Cancer Research, 2/02 | ||
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| Am Soc for Clinical Nutrition meeting, 2/02 | | | J Nutrition, 8/02 EGCG Attacks Cancer Cells NOT Normal Ones | ||
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| www.lef.org Cancer Letters Toxicology Letters, 11/02 | | | Int J Cancer, 2002 Tea extracts repair radiotherapy skin damage | ||
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| Carcinogenesis, 2/03 | | | Proc of the Natl Acad Sciences 4/03 | ||
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| Not clear if this abstract was published | | | Websites | ||
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| J Nutr, 9/03 | | | Harvard Women's Health Watch, 10/04 | ||
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| LINK to scientific evidence on health benefits of geen tea | | | LINK to site w/articles, brewing info and more | ||
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| Sent to us 8/05 | | | J Food and Chemical Toxicology, July 2007 | ||
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| Presented at CAM Expo West Los Angeles, CA 10/7/05 | | | Am J Clin Nutr, 2007; 86(4): 1243-7 September (?) 2007 | ||
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