CANCER

How Tea helps in Cancer Prevention

Polyphenolic Antioxidants in Black and Green Tea inhibits the growth and development of many types of Cancer and increases Apoptosis. Studies show that, Polyphenolic constituents in Tea protect against different types of Cancer (skin, lung, fore-stomach, esophagus, duodenum, pancreas, liver, breast and colon).

Abundant experimental and epidemiological evidence accumulated mainly in the past decade from several centers worldwide, provides a convincing argument that polyphenolic Antioxidants present in Black and Green Tea can reduce Cancer risks in a variety of animal tumor bio-assay systems. The studies showing the preventive effects of Tea were conducted with Black Tea and Green Tea (Katiyar, Mukhtar 1996). Tea exerts a major inhibiting effect on the growth and development of many types of Cancer, and it increases Apoptosis, a process whereby tumor cells are eliminated. Studies also showed that the consumption of Tea and its polyphenolic constituents affords protection against chemical carcinogen or ultra violet radiation induced Skin Cancer in mouse model. Tea consumption also affords protection against Cancers induced by chemical carcinogens that involve the lung, fore-stomach, esophagus, duodenum, pancreas, liver, breast, colon and skin in mice, rats, and hamsters. Much of the Cancer preventive effects of Green Tea are mediated by EGCG, the major polyphenolic constituent of Green Tea (Katiyar, Mukhtar 1997).

One other key effect of the Tea Polyphenols, that was, and others being gradually discovered, is the induction of specific phase I enzymes of the cytochrome P450 system, and importantly, of the phase II enzyme, glucuronyl transferase. The combined new pattern of phase I and phase II enzymes (in the body of tea drinkers) accounts for the effects of Tea in lowering the risk of Cancers, since the relevant carcinogens are thus detoxified. Also, carcinogens lead to ROS, that are also detoxified by the Tea Polyphenols. Therefore, Tea might be introduced to a greater extent in clinical practice in cases of Cancer, as adjuvant therapy, with the aim of an improved clinical management of patients.