The answer is “Yes!” Nutritional experts attribute green tea’s health benefits to a powerful group of antioxidants called catechins. You may have heard of the most notable and potent catechin found in green tea – EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate).

While there is quite a bit of impressive nutritional data about green tea, the fact that it contains more antioxidants than Vitamin E is promising by any standard. Because of its high concentration of antioxidants and its ability to fight free radicals, studies show that EGCG (a polyphenol found in green tea) helps to ward off diabetes and cancer. Green tea also helps prevent and treat atherosclerosis (otherwise known as hardening of the arteries).

And that’s just the beginning: Green tea has a 4,000-year history of treating a wide variety of ailments. The Chinese, in particular, are prolific in their green tea advocacy. They touted its benefits earlier than the first dynasty – Xia – in 2100 BC.

In 1944, an article published by the National Cancer Institute revealed that if you include green tea in your diet, you could reduce your risk of esophageal cancer by as much as 60%. The findings also concluded that certain green tea compounds tend to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

Recent clinical tests show that EGCG:

• Inhibits the growth of new cancer cells and destroys some existing cancer cells – without harming normal cells.
• Reduces the formation of blood clots and thromboses, which is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes.
• Lowers total cholesterol levels and increases the ratio of HDL (good cholesterol) to LDL (bad cholesterol).

There is a new clinical trial underway at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in collaboration with the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to study the safety and efficacy of consuming the equivalent of ten cups of green tea per day.

Until Sloan Kettering reveals those findings, I believe drinking two to three cups of green tea per day should provide you with important health benefits. If you have no time for a “tea party,” try green tea capsules instead!

Dr. Janet’s life extension tip: Join me and have at least one cup of green tea a day!

Be well -

Dr. Janet