As tea becomes more and more ingrained in western culture (oolong tea is particularly en vogue today as a dietary supplement) its health properties become known popular and are widely disseminated by the media. One of the more unbelievable claims floating around is that tea can help prevent cancer. In a world of hypochondriacs where everyone is looking to get an edge over the unknown even if it is merely a placebo such claims tend inspire doubt among the more questioning. With so many scams and misleading products, it is only natural. However, tea not only posesses some anti-cancer properties but the phenomenon has been studied scientifically and documented.
First and foremost, tea is not a cure for cancer. It is not even a valid medical treatment for cancer in and of itself. Scientists have found a correlation between the consumption of tea and lower incidences of certain kinds of cancers but they disagree as to just how effective tea itself is. In short, tea is not a panacea and no miracles should be expected. However, there are many particularities of tea that have proven to be effective in the prevention and treatment of certain types of cancers:
Tea, green tea in particular, is very rich in epigallocatechin gallate. More commonly known as EGCG, this antioxidant has been known to not only inhibit a specific enzyme required the growth of certain cancer cells but it also kills cancer cells without affecting normal cells. By their weight, tea leaves are composed of about 40% polyphenols, the most common one being EGCG. The incidence of prostate and lung cancers in Asia, despite the high rates of smoking, have been theorized by scientists as being the result of green tea consumption. Some scientific studies, however, have found that EGCG binds with the anti-cancer drug Valverda, rendering it therapeutically useless. Patients undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma and cell lymphona, thus, should abstain from consuming tea and let their doctors know.
EGCG has been shown to bind to 67 LR, a receptor commonly found on certain kinds of cancer cells, including those in the lung. As EGCG binds with 67LR it tends to slow down the reproduction of cancer cells and sometimes even reduce the size of the tumor in question.
Other antioxidants, including catechin, are also found in tea. Certain scientific studies have established a correlation between consuming foods that are rich in catechin and a lower incidence of lung and prostate cancer.
Topically rubbing green tea and green tea extract on the skin has been found to help prevent cancerous skin damage by filtering ultraviolet rays due to the presence of both EGCG and catechin.
Anyone drinking tea for its anticarcinogen properties should make sure to drink only organic tea. Inorganic foods tend to be produced using conventional pesticides and chemical fertilizers, both of which have been linked to higher incidences of cancer. Organic food, on the other hand, uses no chemicals, only natural fertilizer and renewable non-polluting energy sources.
To learn more about the equipment needed to brew Loose Leaf Tea and how to use it, see out Tea Equipment section
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As tea becomes more and more ingrained in western culture (oolong tea is particularly en vogue today as a dietary supplement) its health properties become known popular and are widely disseminated by the media. One of the more unbelievable claims floating around is that tea can help prevent cancer. In a world of hypochondriacs where everyone is looking to get an edge over the unknown even if it is merely a placebo such claims tend inspire doubt among the more questioning. With so many scams and misleading products, it is only natural. However, tea not only posesses some anti-cancer properties but the phenomenon has been studied scientifically and documented.
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