Cancer

  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Cancer

Can green tea prevent cancer?

By Lisa Fayed, About.com

Updated: July 25, 2005

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Question: Can green tea prevent cancer?
Answer: Studies conducted by the University of Murcia in Spain and the John Innes Center in Norwich, England have discovered that green tea can prevent cancer cells from growing.

Green tea contains a compound called EGCG. The EGCG stops cancer cells from growing by binding with an enzyme, called dihydrofolate reductase, in the body.

Scientists have also found that the structure of EGCG is very similar to to a cancer drug called methotrexate. They discovered that EGCG kills cancer cells in the same way that the cancer drug does.

These findings have promoted studies about EGCG based cancer treatment. This would mean less side effects, as ECGC does not aggressively attack healthy cells.

More Cancer Q&A

Explore Cancer

About.com Special Features

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.

Cancer

  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Cancer
  4. Cancer Causes/Risk Factors
  5. Cancer Causes
  6. Food Guide
  7. Green Tea and Cancer Prevention

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.