A report from the recent AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Research (Oct 2012) presents a potential mechanism for breast cancer prevention http://www.aacr.org/home/public--media/aacr-press-releases.aspx?d=2927. This research suggests that the epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or EGCG for short, may inhibit two growth factors which in high quantities promote cancer cell growth and spread. This is one of the polyphenols in high concentration in green tea. Taking the compound is not the recommendation yet, but it is being studied further.
Green tea has been studied for years and reports, though inconclusive, have suggested benefits from cancer prevention, to lowering cholesterol and blood pressure and promoting weight loss among others.
Green tea is brewed from freshly harvested nonoxidized or non-fermented tea leaves. The oxidation is usually stopped by dry heat or steam so the leaves retain the green color. Green tea has high concentrations of a number of polyphenols, particularly the active EGCG. For more information about tea you may read what the National Cancer Institute says at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/prevention/tea.
It may be that one day a recommendation to prevent some kinds of cancers may be to drink freshly brewed green tea, but there are many other compounds in tea which may limit its use, such as caffeine and aluminum, and green tea may limit iron bioavailability. We will have to wait to find out which compound or combination of compounds is the important ingredient for cancer prevention. For now:
- Be lean
- Regularly exercise
- Be active
Together we can prevent 86,000 breast cancers each year!
This content is general about ongoing research and not personal medical advice.
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