Polyphenols in green tea have been shown to have wide-ranging health benefits. Data from some epidemiological studies as well as animal studies suggest, for example, that green tea may help prevent certain types of cancer, including breast cancer. A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition provides further support for the potential benefits of green tea drinking and breast cancer prevention.
The study included 3454 women with breast cancer and 3474 healthy controls between the ages of 25 and 74 years from Shanghai, China. Tea drinking behavior was evaluated for all individuals. Regular tea drinkers were defined as having at least 2 cups of tea per week for at least 3 continuous months. Other information collected included the type of tea consumed, the age at which they started drinking tea regularly, the total number of years they had consumed tea, brew strength and amount of tea leaves used.
Overall, the results of the study showed a modest relationship between green tea consumption and reduced breast cancer risk. Regular tea drinking was associated with a significant 12% lower risk of breast cancer. This pattern was similar for both pre- and postmenopausal women. In premenopausal women this decreased risk seemed to relate to total number of years of tea consumption and amount of tea consumed. In postmenopausal women, the decreased risk was stronger for recent use and lower intakes.
Many plausible mechanisms have been proposed to explain green tea’s anti-cancer effects. Polyphenols in green tea play a role in cell cycle arrest, have antioxidant properties, suppress cellular proliferation, and increase apoptosis (programmed cell death). Furthermore, and in specific relation to breast cancer, green tea also seems to have anti-estrogenic properties.
Shrubsole MJ, Lu W, Chen Z, Xiao OS, Zheng Y, Dai Q, Cai Q, Gu K, Ruan ZX, Gao YT, Zheng W. Drinking green tea modestly reduces breast cancer risk. Journal of Nutrition. 2009; 139: 310-316.
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