Could green tea aid in the prevention of lung cancer? In a correlational study, researchers from Taiwan found that both smokers and non-smokers who drank at least 1 cup of green tea each day saw a significantly lower risk of lung cancer.

Over the last several years, we’ve heard more and more about the cancer-preventative aspects of green tea. It seems the studies just keep coming.

Green Tea and the Prevention of Lung Cancer

The study found that those who didn’t drink green tea were at a 5 times greater risk of developing lung cancer than those who had just 1 cup a day. Among smokers, the rate was even higher, with the non-drinkers seeing a risk increase of 12 times that of the tea drinkers.

Also related to green tea consumption, scientists found that a gene may play a role in the prevention of lung cancer. The greatest lung cancer prevention was seen in those people who not only drank green tea but had a gene called IGF1.

Active components in green tea, called polyphenols, are credited with stopping cancer in its tracks. Though some conflicting studies have arisen over the years, the majority point to green tea as an amazing health elixir.

Scientists began researching the effects of tea when they noticed the dramatically lower cancer rates in Asia, where the consumption of green tea is highest.

Meta-Analysis Comes to Similar Conclusions on Green Tea and Lung Cancer

Of course, this isn’t the first time a link has been made between green tea and cancer prevention – even lung cancer.

A meta-analysis of 42 papers involved:

• 30 case-control studies including 14,578 individuals with lung cancer and 180,574 controls

• 12 cohort studies including 543,825 individuals, of which the outcome was 5,085 with lung cancer

Here is what was found:

“Consumption of green, black or unspecified tea has a protective effect compared with not drinking tea at all. Increased intake of green tea to 7. 5 g per day can further reduce the OR (odds ratio) of lung cancer.

Tea consumption had a protective effect against lung cancer in non-smokers. Further analysis found that drinking of one or more cups of tea a day has a protective effect on smokers.”

Fortunately for us, green tea is easy to find. To get the most from your tea, look for organic varieties. Drink at least one cup each day and limit sweeteners and additives. Green tea has a light taste that isn’t overpowering and is easy to drink.