Green Tea and Cancer

Unveiling the Power of Green Tea and EGCG: A Natural Ally in Cancer Prevention and Treatment
Written by Keith Bishop, Clinical Nutritionist, B.Sc. Pharmacy, Author

In my ongoing quest to empower our community with knowledge and tools to prevail over cancer, I turn my focus to one of nature's most potent gifts: green tea. Revered for centuries for its healing properties, green tea has emerged as a beacon of hope in the realm of cancer prevention. Join me as I delve into the science behind green tea's anticancer benefits and explore how integrating this miraculous beverage into our daily routine can fortify our defenses against this formidable adversary.

Green Tea: The Antioxidant Powerhouse

At the heart of green tea's anticancer prowess lies its rich concentration of antioxidants, particularly catechins. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the most abundant and powerful catechin in green tea, has been extensively studied for its ability to neutralize harmful free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, a precursor to cancer development. By incorporating green tea into our diets, we harness these antioxidants' protective effects, potentially lowering our risk of cancer initiation and progression.

Green Tea and Cancer Prevention: A Closer Look

Numerous scientific studies have illuminated green tea's role in cancer prevention. Research suggests that regular consumption of green tea can contribute to a reduced risk of various cancers, including breast, prostate, bladder, colon, lung, skin, and colorectal cancers. The mechanisms behind this protective effect are multifaceted, involving the inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, induction of cancer cell apoptosis (programmed cell death), and suppression of angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels that feed tumors).

Incorporating Green Tea into Your Cancer Prevention Strategy

Embracing green tea as part of your daily routine can be both enjoyable and beneficial. Whether you prefer your tea hot or iced, the key is consistency. Aim for 2-3 cups of green tea per day to maximize its anticancer potential. Additionally, incorporating green tea into smoothies or using it as a base for soups can be innovative ways to enjoy its benefits.

For those sensitive to caffeine, decaffeinated green tea options retain some of the beneficial catechins and EGCG without the stimulant effects. Matcha green tea typically has more EGCG than loose-leaf or tea bag green teas.

Don’t drink extremely hot beverages. If the beverage is steamed it may damage the esophagus and increase the risk of esophageal cancer.

Tea Bags May Increase the Risk and Growth of Cancer

Microplastics may facilitate tumor progression, particularly through enhancing cell migration and possibly fueling metastasis. Tea bags can be a source of microplastics in your beverage. Brewing loose-leaf green tea with a stainless steel or glass infuser and matcha green tea are ways to decrease the exposure of microplastics and Nano plastics from tea bags. I prefer organic green tea to reduce chemicals, pesticides, and herbicide exposure. Japanese green tea tends to have more beneficial ingredients and provides a green color tea versus a brown color. 

Green Tea Cautions

While green tea is a powerful natural ally in cancer prevention, it’s important to approach its consumption with balance. Excessive intake may lead to adverse effects, particularly in individuals with certain health conditions or those taking specific medications. As always, consult with a healthcare professional to ensure green tea is a safe and beneficial addition to your cancer prevention and treatment toolkit.

EGCG Extracts and Cancer

EGCG in green tea leaves can vary depending on the brand, quantity, and how it’s brewed. I take a supplement that contains EGCG before my meals to decrease L-glutamine use by cancer cells. Accumulating research confirms that EGCG can inhibit the development and progression of cancer by triggering apoptosis (cancer cell death), suppressing proliferation, invasion, and migration, altering tumor epigenetic modification (environmental and food influences on DNA), and overcoming chemotherapy resistance. EGCG can promote the body’s anti-cancer immune response via several mechanisms.

EGCG can suppress several cancer cell metabolic pathways including glucose (sugar) uptake, energy use, glutamine use, and fatty acid use. Finally, EGCG can enhance immunotherapy effectiveness and appears to be a promising candidate for antitumor immunotherapy.

EGCG Green Tea Conclusion

The journey to prevail over cancer is multifaceted, requiring a holistic approach to wellness that embraces the best of what nature has to offer. Green tea, with its remarkable anticancer properties, stands out as a simple yet powerful tool in our arsenal. By making green tea a staple in our daily lives, we take an active step towards nurturing our bodies, fortifying our defenses, and fostering a culture of health and resilience within our community.

EGCG Supplement Considerations

Pathway #4 contains EGCG. I take Pathway #4: 2 capsules before meals with protein and carbohydrates. Click or tap here to learn more about Pathway #4.

NOTICE:

This information is for educational purposes. As with any information on the internet and social media, you should consult with your healthcare providers before making changes in your treatment program.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

EGCG and Green Tea Cancer References Include

van Die MD, Bone KM, Visvanathan K, et al. Phytonutrients and outcomes following breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. JNCI Cancer Spectr. 2024;8(1):pkad104. doi:10.1093/jncics/pkad104 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10868383/

Zhang L, Wen JX, Hai L, et al. Preventive and therapeutic effects of green tea on lung cancer: a narrative review of evidence from clinical and basic research. J Thorac Dis. 2022;14(12):5029-5038. doi:10.21037/jtd-22-1791 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9840036/

Mei T, Wang J, Xiao X, et al. Identification and Evaluation of Microplastics from Tea Filter Bags Based on Raman Imaging. Foods. 2022;11(18):2871. Published 2022 Sep 16. doi:10.3390/foods11182871 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9497986/

Brynzak-Schreiber E, Schögl E, Bapp C, et al. Microplastics role in cell migration and distribution during cancer cell division. Chemosphere. Published online February 27, 2024. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141463 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653524003564?via%3Dihub

Li D, Cao D, Sun Y, et al. The roles of epigallocatechin gallate in the tumor microenvironment, metabolic reprogramming, and immunotherapy. Front Immunol. 2024;15:1331641. Published 2024 Jan 29. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2024.1331641 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10859531/