Can Green Tea Aid in the Prevention of Lung Cancer?

Anthony Gucciardi
Natural Society

Elizabeth Renter
NaturalSociety
August 8, 2012

Could green tea aid in the prevention of lung cancer? Over the last several years, we’ve heard more and more about the cancer-preventative aspects of green tea, and the studies just keep coming. Researchers from Taiwan found that both smokers and non-smokers who drink at least one cup of green tea each day see a significantly lower risk of lung cancer.

Green Tea and the Prevention of Lung Cancer

According to the BBC, the study found that those who didn’t drink green tea were at a five times greater risk of developing lung cancer than those who had just one cup a day. Among smokers, the rate was even higher, with the non-drinkers seeing a risk increase of 12 times that of the tea drinkers.

Also related to green tea consumption, scientists found that a gene may play a role in the prevention of lung cancer. The greatest lung cancer prevention was seen in those people who not only drank green tea, but had a gene called IGF1.

Active components in green tea, called polyphenols, are credited with stopping cancer in its tracks. Though some conflicting studies have arisen over the years, the majority point to green tea as an amazing health elixir.

Scientists began researching the effects of the tea when noticing the dramatically lower cancer rates in Asia, where consumption of green tea is highest.

Of course this isn’t the first time a link has been made between green tea and cancer prevention. One Japanese study involving 40,000 Japanese individuals found that consuming five cups of green tea each day could work to prevent the development of cancer, particularly lymph cancers and blood cancers. Other scientists also found that green tea fights cancer cell growth. They noticed that the active ingredient in green tea can lead to a regression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)—a type of cancer that causes the bone marrow to make too many lymphocytes (white blood cells).

Fortunately for us, green tea is easy to find. In order to get the most from your tea, look for organic varieties. Drink at least one cup each day and limit sweeteners and additives. Green tea has a light taste that isn’t overpowering and is easy to drink.

Additional Sources:

The Telegraph