The Benefits of Green Tea for Breast Cancer
Green tea and it’s antioxidants have been linked to lower chances for heart disease and cancer, especially those of the breast and prostate.
Drinking five cups of green tea a day can reduce the risk of breast cancer by 22 per cent, according to a meta-analysis of combined studies.
The constituents of green tea are widely known for their universal health benefits. EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) is one of the most beneficial polyphenol components in green tea, and is a powerful antioxidant that also has thermogenic properties, which helps increase metabolic activity. The polyphenol antioxidants in EGCG also support the body’s cardiovascular system.
Many different studies have supported the finding that green tea and, because of its similarity, white tea, can prevent and possibly even help treat breast cancer. Several studies have shown that Asian cultures, where tea drinking is most common, have significantly lower incidences of breast cancer. Some other studies have suggested that a compound in these teas can actually inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells.
Almost 100 studies on green tea and breast cancer have shown remarkable protection through a variety of biological mechanisms including killing cancer cells through apoptosis, protection of normal cells, prevention of cancer adhesion, prevention of cancer initiation, prevention of cancer progression, prevention of cancer metastasis, prevention of angiogenesis, prevention of inflammation, prevention of DNA damage from free radicals, as well as increasing the survival rate.
One dramatic study showed that green tea tripled the breast cancer survival rate.
According to a recent study recognized by the American Institute for Cancer Research, a substance in green tea has been found to halt a specific stage in the cancer process more effectively than current cancer drugs.
In a case-control study conducted among Asian-American women in Los Angeles County, a significant inverse relationship was reported between intake of green tea and risk of breast cancer.
A study that was published earlier this year in Cancer Letters showed that green tea is effective in delaying tumor incidence as well as in reducing the tumor burden. Green tea was found to inhibit growth of tumors as well as induce death of breast cancer cells.
What does green tea contain that is so powerful?
Green tea contains EGCG otherwise known as Epigallocatechin-3-gallate. EGCG is the known ingredient that provides substances which have strong antioxidant properties that may help prevent breast cancer and heart disease.
EGCG is an antioxidant found in all teas, white, green, oolong, and black, although found more so in white and green teas.
In addition to preventing the growth of breast cancer cells, EGCG has also shown to kill breast cancer cells as well.
A study done at the College of Pharmacy at the University of Arizona singled out epigallocatechin gallate as the most effective of the green tea catechins in its anticancer effects in regard to breast cancer, colon cancer and melanoma.
These plant chemicals have potent antioxidant activity to help reduce the risk of breast cancer by fixing cell damage. Among other roles, catechins have been shown to inhibit growth of breast tumor cells and keep them from spreading to other parts of the body. Tea is the best source of catechins in the human diet. Possibly because it is less processed, green tea contains 3 times the catechins than black tea, and catechin levels in white tea are even higher
Catechins constitute about 25% of the dry weight of fresh tea leaf. although total catechin content varies widely depending on growing location, seasonal/ light variation, and altitude. They are present in nearly all teas made from Camellia sinensis, including White tea, Green tea, Black tea and Oolong tea
According to a study from the United States, "There is substantial in vitro and in vivo evidence implicating tea polyphenols as chemopreventive agents against various cancers.
An even better option than green tea is white tea
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New research shows it might be wise to opt for a white tea if you want to reduce your risk of breast cancer.
Known mostly to tea connoisseurs, white tea may have the strongest potential of all teas for fighting breast cancer, according to Oregon State University researchers.
White tea contains all the benefits usually associated with drinking green tea, but with additional benefits, as well. Like green tea, white tea holds antioxidants in their natural state.
Researchers have found that white tea contains the same types of polyphenols as green tea, but in different proportions. Those present in greater amounts may account for the tea’s increased potential for fighting breast cancer.
Why is white tea better that green tea?
White tea is harvested before the leaves are fully open, when the buds have fine white hair covering them. This is much earlier than other teas are harvested. In addition, white tea leaves are not fermented. Rather their leaves are simply steamed and then dried, often right in the fields. This protects white tea’s delicate flavor.
White tea is rapidly steamed and dried, leaving the leaves virtually “fresh.” Green tea, composed of mainly leaves, is steamed or fired prior to being rolled. Oolong and black teas get their dark color and flavor from additional processing.
Because white tea is the most minimally processed, it is the purest of all teas. Researchers at Oregon State University think that this minimal processing and subsequent purity could be what gives it a greater concentration of cancer-fighting polyphenols than that of green tea.
Conclusion:
White tea is one of the best breast cancer preventing agents that you can use. White tea will protect you against all types of cancer such as colon, prostate and stomach cancers. In certain cases white tea has been shown to work as well as prescription drugs.
How much tea should you drink?
A study published in 1999 indicated that 10 Japanese size cups of green tea per day resulted in delayed cancer development. A follow up study found that stages I and II breast cancer patients consuming over five cups green tea per day experienced a lower recurrence rate and longer disease-free period than those consuming less than 4 cups per day
Dr. Zuo Feng Zhang, a cancer epidemiology researcher at UCLA, recommends two to three cups a day (that’s teacups, not mugs), though his research related to breast cancer shows that four to five cups can reduce disease susceptibility even more.
Serving method
Do not pour boiling water on white tea leaves; the temperature should be a bit shy of the boiling point. Allow the water to cool to a temperature somewhere between 165-185 degrees before you pour it over the tea leaves. Experts recommend that you not use sweetener or milk in white tea; it should be served plain.
Don’t expect to get the same benefits from drinking beverages that contain white or green tea, especially if they contain lots of sugar, high fructose corn syrup or artificial/chemical sweeteners.
Take green or white tea extracts
The active ingredients in tea extracts are more highly concentrated than the ones in a cup of tea. This is the perfect solution for people who want white tea benefits and the convenience of taking a supplement.
Take 5 capsules of 350-mg lightly caffeinated green tea or pure white tea extract 3 times a day with each meal. Each capsule should provide at least 100 mg of EGCG. It may be desirable to take a decaffeinated version of green tea extract in the evening so the caffeine does not interfere with sleep.
A highly recommended organic white tea extract product is Organic Wu-long White Tea Extract, available at Amazon.com.
If you are looking for an organic and chemical-free white tea extract to use as a tea, this is the product you want to use. This potent extract is made from Royal Organic Baihao Yinzhen Leaves, Organic Grain alcohol and distilled water with NO other added ingredients. As far as I am aware, this is the only organic white tea extract product currently available.
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