Green Tea Reduces Risk of Colon Cancer
Just when we thought we knew everything about the magic health elixir that is green tea, Chinese researchers tell us that regularly drinking the antioxidant-rich brew may halve the risk of colon and rectal cancers.
The study, published in the journal Cancer Epideminology Biomarkers and Prevention, followed 69,710 Chinese women between the ages of 40 and 70 for six years to see if there was indeed a link between green tea consumption and colorectal cancer risk. Researchers found that reduction of risk was related to the amount of tea regularly consumed and how long the subjects have been doing so. Those who consistently drank tea the most experienced the greatest reduction in risk.
How can green tea have such a profound impact on our health? It’s in the leaves. Four primary polyphenols — epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate and epicatechin — are found there. EGCG is the polyphenol in green tea most studied for its health benefits. In addition, green tea contains quercetin, the polyphenol known to be found in grapes, berries, onions and red wine. These antioxidant compounds help the body fight off the risk of diseases, such as cancer and Alzheimer’s, increase weight loss efforts, and improve heart health.
Even though this study included only women, numerous other studies on green tea have shown that the polyphenols in tea can benefit both men and women. Try to drink at least one cup each day. Steep the tea bag or loose tea leaves in hot water for at least three minutes to maximize antioxidant content. Keep in mind that the antioxidant value of any given cup of tea can vary greatly. Beware of bottled and instant teas, which often do not provide significant amounts of EGCG. Factors related to the growing conditions, storage and processing of tea may affect its quality and nutritional value.
To guarantee that you are getting a substantial dose of EGCG, you may want to supplement with a green tea extract, which can provide the benefits of green tea in a concentrated form. Look for a standardized extract containing at least 40% EGCG.
Source: Yang G. et al. “Prospective Cohort Study of Green Tea Consumption and Colorectal Cancer Risk in Women.” Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention. 16(6):1219-23, 2007.
