Tea is the most widely consumed drink in the world. Cultures in China and India have also used the green tea plant medicinally by thousands of years. Green tea and green tea extracts potentially contain a number of different natural compounds, including polyphenols and flavonoids. Polyphenols have strong antioxidant and anticancer properties and may help to both prevent and treat a number of cancers, including breast cancer.
Green Tea and Health
Green tea has long been exploited for its health benefits. The polyphenol compounds found in green tea are powerful antioxidants and can help to prevent and manage a number of chronic disease states. The antioxidants in green tea may help to prevent a number of illnesses such as heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes and liver disease. Drinking green tea is also associated with a lower risk of developing many cancers.
Green Tea and Breast Cancer
The polyphenol compounds found in green tea can prevent the growth of breast cancer cells. Women with breast cancer who drink green tea show less cancer metastasis than women who do not drink green tea. Some studies suggest that women who drink green tea may be less likely to develop breast cancer, though more research needs to be done to conclude that green tea can prevent breast cancer. Unfortunately, women in the late stages of breast cancer are not likely to get any anti-cancer benefit from green tea.
EGCG and Breast Cancer
Green tea contains a number of different polyphenol compounds. One specific compound, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or EGCG, is a strong antioxidant that may account for many of the anti-cancer effects of green tea. A 2008 report from a study conducted at the University of Mississippi explains that EGCG has been shown to prevent breast tumor growth in mice. When taken orally, EGCG may even kill breast cancer cells. While more research needs to be done to determine if these effects translate into humans, EGCG shows a lot of promise as an anti-cancer agent.
Drinking Tea Versus Taking Supplements
Green tea and green tea extracts offer a number of potential health benefits. While population studies have shown that drinking green tea may help to reduce breast cancer risk, not much is known about how green tea extracts or EGCG specifically affects cancer in humans. Most people will not experience any side effects to green tea, but individuals with caffeine sensitivities may want to limit their green tea intake. Green tea supplements, such as EGCG, may interact with some medications. Be sure to consult your physician before taking green tea supplements to reduce your breast cancer risk potentially.
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