Polyphenols In Green Tea May Reduce Risk Of Cancer

Certain tea-drinkers in a study conducted in Shanghai, China were about half as likely to develop cancer of the stomach or esophagus as similar study participants who showed little evidence of tea drinking, researchers said. The team, which includes scientists from Rutgers University and Shanghai Cancer Institute, presented results of the ongoing investigation at the 93rd annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research. In their studies, researchers measured levels of certain chemicals, called polyphenols, that are present in tea, in each participant. They also checked for levels of several chemicals produced when polyphenols breakdown in the body. Polyphenols included epigallocatechin (EGC) and epicatechin (EC). The team found that the presence of EGC in urine was associated with a lower risk of gastric and esophageal cancer, after adjusting for smoking, alcohol drinking, carotenes (natural chemicals found in carrots, spinach and other vegetables and fruit) and H. pylori (a type of bacteria linked to peptic ulcers). Cancer-protective effects were mostly seen in people who had lower-than-average levels of carotenes in their blood. Carotenes themselves are believed to reduce risk of cancer and other diseases.  "This study provides direct evidence that tea polyphenols may act as chemopreventive agents against gastric and esophageal cancer development," says Mimi C. Yu, Ph.D., professor of preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine and member of the research team. All varieties of tea come from the leaves of a single plant, Camellia sinensis. This evergreen contains some of the most powerful antioxidants known. The body makes and uses antioxidants to protect itself from harmful invaders (germs) that cause diseases such as cancer. Tea contains antioxidants (the polyphenols called catechins)that have been shown to be as powerful as the well-established antioxidants vitamins C and E at protecting proteins and DNA from oxidative damage.

Green tea contains more catechins than oolong or black teas. In research studies, catechins have been shown to halt tumor cell growth as well as to protect healthy cells from damage. CHI GREEN TEA has over 95% polyphenols! More than other green teas available today!!