Can Green Tea Help Fight Cancer? Evidence‑Backed Insights

Unveiling the Power of Green Tea, Matcha and EGCG: A Natural Ally in Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Written by Keith Bishop, Clinical Nutritionist, Cancer Coach, Retired Pharmacist, and Founder of Prevail Over Cancer. 

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 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 Cancer 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 may reduce the 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 contains more EGCG than loose-leaf or tea-bag green tea.

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

Learn How to Select a Quality Dietary Supplement

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 reduce exposure to microplastics and nanoplastics from tea bags. I prefer organic green tea to reduce exposure to chemicals, pesticides, and herbicides. Japanese green tea tends to contain more beneficial ingredients and produces a green-colored tea rather than a brown-colored one. 

My favorite potent source of EGCG is Matcha Green Tea

Matcha green tea comes from ground-up green tea leaves, so its EGCG content is MUCH higher than that of traditional green tea. It can be served hot or cold and is a significant part of my daily fluid intake. Since it has more caffeine than green tea leaves, most people should not consume it in the evening close to bedtime. 

Click here to download our Kancer Keto Match Clove Recipe.

🫖Matcha’s Anticancer Dose Demystified

Matcha is one of the most concentrated natural sources of catechins — especially EGCG, the compound most studied for its anticancer potential. 👉 You need a meaningful dose of matcha to reach the levels used in research.

Human and preclinical studies show that matcha’s anticancer effects — including reduced tumor growth, improved oxidative balance, and modulation of cancer-related signaling pathways — occur when intake reaches the equivalent of 2–4 grams of matcha per day.

Why this amount?

• Matcha is powdered whole leaf green tea, so you consume the full spectrum of polyphenols — not just what steeps into water.
• EGCG content rises sharply at 2 plus grams, reaching levels shown to influence inflammation, oxidative stress, and cancer-related pathways.
• A 2023 study found matcha suppressed tumor growth and metastasis in a dose-dependent manner in a TNBC model — meaning more matcha = stronger anticancer effect within safe ranges.

If you want matcha to be part of a terrain-based anticancer strategy, 2–4 grams daily (1-2 teaspoons) is the evidence-supported sweet spot.

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 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 brewing method. I take a supplement that contains EGCG before my meals to decrease L-glutamine use by cancer cells. Accumulating evidence confirms that EGCG can inhibit the development and progression of cancer by inducing apoptosis (cancer cell death), suppressing proliferation, invasion, and migration, altering tumor epigenetic modifications (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 metabolic pathways in cancer cells, including glucose (sugar) uptake, energy metabolism, glutamine metabolism, and fatty acid metabolism. Finally, EGCG can enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy and appears to be a promising candidate for antitumor immunotherapy.

Learn about ProtiSorb™ enhanced EGCG polyphenol absorption. 

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 offers. 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/

An intervention study on the effect of matcha tea, in drink and snack bar formats, on mood and cognitive performance. Nutrition-evidence.com. Published May 28, 2019. Accessed January 15, 2026. https://nutrition-evidence.com/article/275839/an-intervention-study-on-the-effect-of-matcha-tea-in-drink-and-snack-bar-formats-on-mood-and-cognitive-performance

Sokary S, et al. Testing the Anticancer Effect of Matcha Using Zebrafish as an Animal Model. Nutrients. 2023;15(10):2369. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37240880