Green Tea and Prostate Cancer

For thousands of years, many people have been drinking infusions of tea due to the numerous health benefits it can give the body. One of the best teas we can consume is green tea.

Green tea is one of the healthiest teas that can quench our thirst. It is made from unfermented leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. During the process, the leaves are heated gently to prevent oxidation and to ensure the leaves do not turn brown thus giving green tea a milder flavor and aroma and retaining the maximum amount of antioxidants and polyphenols that give it its many benefits.

Green tea contains highly concentrated unique catechins like epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) which make it a highly recommended beverage for cancer prevention. Around 25 to 106 mg of EGCG is present in One 8-oz. serving of green tea. Aside from the antioxidant catechins, green tea is also rich in quercetin, kaempferol, and myricitrin.

In a study in 2005, Italian researchers from the University of Parma and the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia have found that green tea may help prevent prostate cancer from occurring.
For the study, 62 men were evaluated. These participants were all at high risk of developing prostate cancer. They were divided into two groups: the first group who received a pill 200 mg of green tea catechins three times daily, for a total daily dosage of 600 mg and the other group is the controlled group. After a period of 12 months, only one out of the 32 men who took green tea was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Meanwhile, 9 out of 30 men in the controlled group were diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Another study was conducted in 2009 with the aim to exactly determine the connection between green tea and the lowered rate of prostate cancer progression. For the study, the researchers, led by James Cardelli, involved 26 men who were diagnosed with prostate cancer and were scheduled for a radical prostatectomy. Four capsules of green tea extract a day were given to the participants and this is equivalent to 12 cups of green tea a day. After taking the capsules for 73 days, results showed that there was a significant decline of greater than 30% in the progression of prostate cancer. Results of this study were published in the Cancer Prevention Journal.

Other Health Benefits of Green tea

Here are the other reasons why drinking green tea gets all the promotion it deserves.

May Help Prevent Heart Disease

Green tea helps the blood vessel stay relaxed and able to withstand changes in blood pressure. Additionally, it also protects against blood clots which causes heart attacks. Studies showed that it can also help lower blood pressure, triglycerides, and total and LDL cholesterol.

Anti-aging Benefits

The anti-inflammatory properties of green tea help keep our skin clear and glowing. Also, its polyphenols help protect our skin against damages caused by UV ray which are linked to dark spots, wrinkles, and skin cancer. When applied topically, green tea is also effective at alleviating skin conditions like acne and rosacea.

Helps Protect The Brain And Prevent Cognitive Decline

Aside from improving brain function, green can also protect the brain in the long term. Its antioxidant catechins have a protective effect on neurons, potentially lowering your risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Helps Soothe Arthritis Pain

Green tea contains quercetin which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. According to studies, sipping 4 cups of green tea a day can help cut down aches and pains associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Also, in a separate study, it was revealed that women who drink more than 3 cups of green tea are 60% less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis as compared to non-drinkers.

Helps Reduce Asthma Symptoms

The quercetin in green tea help prevents the release of inflammatory substances from mast cells, which are involved in allergic responses.

Keep asthma symptoms at bay by drinking two cups of green tea daily.

Aids In Weight Loss

Drinking green tea every day can help increase our metabolism. Its polyphenols boost the levels of fat oxidation and the rate at which your body turns food into calories.

Helps Fight a UTI

Due to the powerful antioxidants found in green tea, it can help clear up a urinary tract infection. Simply drink two to three cups of it daily for best results. Studies showed that green tea drinkers are off 40% lowered chance of developing UTI's than those of non-drinkers.