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Green Tea and CancerWhat is the connection between green tea and cancer? Numerous laboratory studies on animals have shown promising results on the postive effects of green tea on inhibiting the initiation and the activation of cancer cells. What causes cancer?Medical professionals cannot explain why one person gets cancer and another doesn't. They do all agree that certain risk factors ( such as tobacco, age, sunlight and alcohol) can increase the chances of a person getting cancer.Cancer begins in the cells of the body. Usually cells grow and divide to make new cells, as the body needs them.When cells grow old they die and new cells replace them.Unfortunately this process goes wrong at times. Sometimes new cells are formed when the body doesn't need them, and old cells don't die when they should. The extra cells sometimes form a mass of tissue known as a growth or tumor. How does green tea prevent cancer?Green tea contains powerful antioxidants known as catechins which are believed to be the key factor in preventing the development of cancer. The catechin known as EGCG is thought to neutralise carcinogens and prevent them from attacking healthy cells that lead to cancer.They are also reported to target cancer cells and prevent them from turning into tumors.Positive research findings in Japan have lead to green tea and EGCG being acknowledged as cancer preventatives.In studies conducted on mice, scientists found that chronic inflammatory diseases such as lung cancer could be inhibited by drinking 10 cups of green tea over an extended period.They also concluded green tea helps to prevent cardiovascular disease. Hirota Fujiki of Saitama Cancer Center Research Institute describes green tea as being "one of the most practical cancer preventatives".
Clinical trials on the effects of green tea and cancer have been inconclusive and further, more thorough studies need to be conducted, before solid conclusions can be made on the beneficial effects of green tea on cancer prevention and treatment.
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