1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Cancer

Can green tea prevent or fight cancer?

By Lisa Fayed, About.com

Created: November 26, 2005

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

Arguments For
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.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that studies are inconclusive and more research needs to be done.
Where it Stands
More research is being consucted on the effects of green tea properties and cancer.

Created on 11/25/05
Source- 1.The Food and Drug Administration. Press Release by FDA, June 30, 2005
2. The Mayo Clinic. Drugs and Supplements Natural Standard® Patient Monograph, Copyright © 2005
Explore Cancer
About.com Special Features

Learn how you can reduce your your numbers with these nutrition and exercise tips. More >

Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this fall with these tips. More >

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Cancer
  4. Cancer Causes/Risk Factors
  5. Cancer Causes
  6. Food Guide
  7. Can Green Tea Prevent Cancer?

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

All rights reserved.