Scientists have found that the active ingredient in green tea can lead to a regression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)—a type of cancer that causes the bone marrow to make too many lymphocytes (white blood cells). Although the research showing how green tea can fight cancer cell growth was published a few years ago, it seems to have been swept under the rug a bit. But you can always read about it here.
Green Tea Fights Cancer Cell Growth
According to The Telegraph, Dr. Tait Shanafelt from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota found that test subjects tolerated high doses of the green tea extract very well, while also stopping cancer cell growth and leading to a regression in their cancer. To be precise, the treatment reduced the number of lymphocytes in one-third of the test subjects.
Another symptom of this type of cancer is swollen lymph nodes, where white blood cells collect. Most subjects in the study saw their enlarged nodes reduced by 50% or more.
Each patient received between 400 and 2,000 milligrams twice daily. This would roughly be the equivalent of drinking four to 20 cups of tea, twice daily—not manageable for most people. However, green tea extract is relatively inexpensive and many people opt to take it in supplement form.
According to The Telegraph:
Many cases of CLL progress slowly, and often treatment involves an early stage of “watchful waiting” before patients are given strong treatments. Researchers hope that EGCG could stabilize the disease for many patients in the early stage or improve the success rates of other therapies like chemotherapy.
Green Tea has numerous benefits and has been a go-to beverage choice in certain parts of the world for centuries. In addition to reversing cancer cell growth, some of the other benefits of green tea include:
- Accelerates fat loss – Among many foods to boost metabolism and accelerate fat loss, green tea is full of antioxidants and plenty of nutrients leading to increased metabolism when taken on a daily basis.
- Prevents Sunburn – According to the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, you can prevent sunburn simply by drinking green tea. The polyphenols contained in green tea are powerful antioxidants, protecting the body from damage by free radicals. But they also protect the cells against DNA damage from UV radiation. Drinking two cups of green tea each day is enough to reap the benefits.
- Prevents the Flu – Some research shows that drinking between 1-5 cups per day slashed flu rates, though the benefits stopped after 5 cups.
- Promotes Graceful Aging – Green tea is pact full of antioxidants, preventing free radical damage that leads to aging. Research also shows that those who drink green tea are more agile and medically independent as they age.
