Summary
Green tea has been known for centuries to have mysterious healing effects for a large number of ailments. And now scientists are finding that antioxidants in the plant are probably the key to the healing power. A growing amount of evidence suggests that these antioxidants can, specifically, help in the fight against cancer.
Original source:
http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2005/2/emw211899.htm
Details
The National Cancer Institue is researching the benefits of green tea.
Antioxidants found in green tea may reduce risks of certain types of cancer.
Long regarded in those cultures as an aid to good health, researchers now are studying tea for possible use in the prevention and treatment of a variety of cancers.
To become stable, oxidants steal electrons from other molecules and, in the process, damage cell proteins and genetic material.
With the additional process of allowing the leaves to ferment and oxidize, black tea is produced.
Possibly because it is less processed, green tea contains higher levels of antioxidants than black tea.
Although tea is consumed in a variety of ways and varies in its chemical makeup, one study showed steeping either green or black tea for about five minutes released over 80 percent of its catechins.
In the laboratory, studies have shown tea catechins act as powerful inhibitors of cancer growth in several ways: They scavenge oxidants before cell injuries occur, reduce the incidence and size of chemically induced tumors, and inhibit the growth of tumor cells.
In studies of liver, skin and stomach cancer, chemically induced tumors were shown to decrease in size in mice that were fed green and black tea (1, 2).
Some epidemiological studies comparing tea drinkers to non-tea drinkers support the claim that drinking tea prevents cancer; others do not.
National Cancer Institute (NCI) researchers are also investigating the therapeutic use of
green tea.
One recently completed but unpublished NCI trial studied the antitumor effect of green tea among prostate cancer patients.
For example, one is investigating the protective effects of a pill form of green
tea against sun-induced skin damage while another explores the topical application of green tea in shrinking precancerous skin changes.
About the author: Mike Adams is a natural health author and award-winning journalist with a strong interest in personal health, the environment and the power of nature to help us all heal He has authored more than 1,800 articles and dozens of reports, guides and interviews on natural health topics, and he has authored and published several downloadable personal preparedness courses including a downloadable course focused on safety and self defense. Adams is a trusted, independent journalist who receives no money or promotional fees whatsoever to write about other companies' products. In 2010, Adams launched TV.NaturalNews.com, a natural health video site featuring videos on holistic health and green living. He also founded an environmentally-friendly online retailer called BetterLifeGoods.com that uses retail profits to help support consumer advocacy programs. He's also the founder of a well known HTML email software company whose 'Email Marketing Director' software currently runs the NaturalNews subscription database. Adams also serves as the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a non-profit consumer protection group, and enjoys outdoor activities, nature photography, Pilates and martial arts training. He's also author of numerous health books published by Truth Publishing and is the creator of several consumer-oriented grassroots campaigns, including the Spam. Don't Buy It! campaign, and the free downloadable Honest Food Guide. He also created the free reference sites HerbReference.com and HealingFoodReference.com. Adams believes in free speech, free access to nutritional supplements and the ending of corporate control over medicines, genes and seeds. Known by his callsign, the 'Health Ranger,' Adams posts his missions statements, health statistics and health photos at www.HealthRanger.org
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