Green tea and prostate cancer

Antioxidants are beneficial, because they may prevent the risk of cancer by blocking the actions of free radicals that have been associated with causing cell damage.

Laboratory studies are promising

In laboratory studies, tea catechins have been shown to inhibit cancer growth. In studies where tumors were chemically created in mice, Adhami et al report that tumors decreased in size in those mice that were fed green tea polyphenols. Researchers believe that these polyphenols work to prevent prostate cancer from spreading by shutting down molecular pathways that are responsible for the growth and spread of tumor cells, and by inhibiting blood vessels that contribute to tumor growth.

Lee et al recently demonstrated that Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and a synthetic derivative—the peracetate of EGCG (EGCG-P)—inhibited tumor growth in mice and contributed to cell death in androgen-independent prostate cancer.

Studies on concentrated green tea extracts have demonstrated the prevention of the growth of prostate cancer cells in test tubes.

Human study results are mixed

Some epidemiological studies comparing people who drink this beverage to those who don’t suggest that drinking it helps prevent cancer. But other studies do not. The challenge with epidemiological studies is that they can only show that a factor is associated with an outcome in men with prostate cancer. But they cannot prove a definite cause of the outcome. Other factors, including dietary habits, environmental differences, and population differences may be a factor when results are inconsistent.

In a study of 18,000 men in China, the number of tea drinkers who developed stomach or esophageal cancer was about 50% less than men who drank little. Another study showed that those who drank about 2 cups of green tea a day and took an extract were able to reduce the size and growth of a precancerous oral plaque. In a large Japanese study where 49,920 men drank 5 cups a day, Kurahashi et al suggested that this beverage may be associated with a decreased risk of advanced prostate cancer, but not localized prostate cancer.

But a large study of 58,279 men and 62,573 women in the Netherlands demonstrated that there was no association between drinking tea and preventing stomach, colorectal, lung, and breast cancers.

More research is coming

The National Cancer Institute is currently sponsoring several clinical trials to determine the effects of green tea and prostate cancer prevention and treatment. Hopefully, those studies will give us a better understanding of its role in prostate cancer, and guidelines for how much should be consumed every day.

In January of 2010, Trottier et al stated that many natural compounds, such as green tea, have therapeutic potential and it is anticipated that future studies will consist of well-designed clinical trials assessing combinations of available compounds.

Important note: in studies, both green and black tea extracts stimulated genes that cause cells to be less responsive to chemotherapy drugs. If your loved one is receiving chemotherapy, he should avoid both teas and any extracts.

As always, check with your loved one’s doctor or nutritionist before making any major dietary changes.

Updated 11/10

Always discuss everything you read on this web site with a qualified medical professional.

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