Green tea undergoes the least processing of teas and as a result, contains a high amount of antioxidants called polyphenols. The main group of polyphenols found in green tea is called catechins. Research indicates that green tea catechins might improve prostate health by protecting against prostate cancer.
Advanced Prostate Cancer
In research reported in the January 2008 issue of the "American Journal of Epidemiology," researchers from the National Cancer Center in Japan explored the relationship between green tea consumption and prostate cancer risk in Japanese men. They discovered that participants drinking five cups of green tea per day lowered their risk of advanced prostate cancer, but not localized prostate cancer, compared to those drinking less than one cup of green tea per day.
Prostate Cancer Risk
Dr. Saverio Bettuzzi led a team of scientists from the University of Parma in Italy who examined the effects of green tea catechins on prostate cancer risk in men at high risk of prostate cancer. Patients at risk of developing prostate cancer received 600 mg of green tea catechins or a placebo for 12 months. At the end of the study, which was presented at the 96th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in 2005, researchers found that one out of 32 patients consuming green tea catechins developed prostate cancer whereas nine out of 30 patients in the placebo group developed prostate cancer. This study was reported on the Nutra-Ingredients website.
Prostate Cancer Progression
Researchers from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center investigated the effects of green tea catechins on prostate cancer progression. They reported in the June 2009 issue of the journal "Cancer Prevention Research" that men with prostate cancer consuming 800 mg of epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or EGCG, and lesser amounts of other catechins experienced decreases in hepatocyte growth factor, or HGF, vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF, prostate specific antigen, PSA, insulin-like growth factor-1, or IGF-1, and insulin like growth factor binding protein-3, or IGFBP-3, all indicators of prostate cancer progression.
Caution and Interactions
Although green tea might be beneficial for the prostate, individuals with kidney disorders, heart problems, stomach ulcers and anxiety should avoid its use. In addition, green tea may interact with certain medications, including blood thinning medications, beta blockers and antibiotics, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
References
- "American Journal of Epidemiology"; Green Tea Consumption and Prostate Cancer Risk in Japanese Men: A Prospective Study; N. Kurahashi, et al.; October 2007
- Nutra Ingredients: Green Tea Reduces Prostate Risk
- "Cancer Prevention Research"; Tea Polyphenols Decrease Serum Levels of Prostate-Specific Antigen, Hepatocyte Growth Factor, and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Prostate Cancer Patients and Inhibit Production of Hepatocyte Growth Factor and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor In Vitro; J. McLarty, et al.; June 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Green Tea
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