| There are numerous types of cancer that | | | | Many of us may be surprised to find that |
| affect different areas of our digestive | | | | green tea is so healthy. The reason is that |
| systems. Two of the most life threatening are | | | | its loaded with anti-oxidants in their |
| cancers of the biliary tract and gall bladder | | | | natural state. Black tea also contains |
| tumors. Tumors and cancers in this part of | | | | anti-oxidants, but during the fermentation |
| the digestive system are rare, with only | | | | process that black tea undergoes, these |
| about 7500 diagnosed each year, but are more | | | | anti-oxidants change, and become less healthy |
| often fatal than many other forms of | | | | than in their original state. |
| digestive system cancer. | | | | |
| | | | The anti-oxidants in tea are called |
| Gall bladder cancer occurs more frequently in | | | | catechins, part of the flavan-3-ol class of |
| women than men, and your likelihood of | | | | flavonoids. EGCG is one of the catechins |
| contracting it increases as you age. | | | | contained in tea, and is one of the most |
| Hispanics are more likely to get gall bladder | | | | potent anti-oxidants around. Because green |
| cancer than any other population. It is not | | | | tea hasnt been fermented, the EGCG is in its |
| usually diagnosed until it is far advanced, | | | | most natural and potent state. |
| which is why the prognosis is usually poor. | | | | |
| | | | Anti-oxidants are so important because they |
| We dont fully understand the cause of gall | | | | combat the free radicals in our bodies. Free |
| bladder cancer, but we do know that people | | | | radicals are damaging oxygen molecules that |
| who suffer from gall stones are more likely | | | | occur as a result of our bodys process of |
| to develop it later on. This appears to be | | | | converting food to energy. If they are left |
| because the gall stones cause chronic | | | | unchecked, they cause cell and DNA damage, |
| inflammation in the gall bladder, which can | | | | which eventually leads to aging and disease. |
| lead to the development of abnormal cells. | | | | |
| | | | So, to protect our health, its important to |
| Other biliary tract cancers are diagnosed in | | | | get anti-oxidants in our diet every day. |
| about 2000-3000 Americans each year. Like | | | | Fruits and vegetables are good sources, as is |
| gall bladder cancer, it is often not | | | | coffee, black tea and dark chocolate. But, |
| diagnosed until it has reached late stages | | | | green tea is one of the very best sources. A |
| and often metastasized. | | | | diet rich in anti-oxidants can help prevent |
| | | | cancer, heart attack and stroke, as well as |
| Again, the cause is not fully known, but, as | | | | general premature aging. |
| with other digestive system cancers, it | | | | |
| occurs more frequently in the obese. It also | | | | The research regarding cancer is significant. |
| occurs more frequently in Hispanics, American | | | | In addition to the study mentioned above |
| Indians, Eastern Europeans and Japanese. | | | | regarding digestive cancers, there have been |
| | | | numerous other studies suggesting that green |
| In recent years, there has been a fair amount | | | | tea can protect against many forms of cancer. |
| of research on the cancer preventative | | | | In fact, Japans medical community now |
| effects of drinking green tea. It appears | | | | considers green tea to be a known cancer |
| that green tea has the power to prevent many | | | | preventative. |
| forms of cancer, including those of the | | | | |
| digestive system, like gall bladder cancer | | | | This news is, of course, quite exciting, but |
| and biliary tract cancer. | | | | it goes even further. There have also been |
| | | | studies that suggest that green tea may be |
| A study conducted in China attempted to | | | | helpful in treating cancer, too. Several |
| establish a link between consumption of green | | | | studies have shown that when green tea was |
| tea and the prevention of these cancers. | | | | used as an adjunct therapy along with |
| | | | traditional chemotherapy, the chemotherapy |
| The study looked at a large segment of the | | | | was more successful. |
| population. It included 627 patients with | | | | |
| various forms of biliary tract cancer | | | | Cancerous cells showed a higher concentration |
| (including gall bladder cancer), 1037 cases | | | | of the cancer drugs when green tea was |
| with biliary stones, and 959 randomly | | | | administered along with the medication. |
| selected control participants. | | | | |
| | | | Some studies have even suggested that green |
| This study concluded that the women who were | | | | tea may be beneficial in preventing the |
| regular tea drinkers had (meaning that they | | | | spread of cancer. It appears that the growth |
| drank at least one cup of green tea a day for | | | | of cancer cells slows significantly or even |
| at least six months) a significantly lower | | | | stops when patients of certain cancers are |
| risk of biliary tract cancer and gallbladder | | | | given green tea in significant quantities. |
| cancer even if they had gall bladder disease | | | | |
| than those who did not drink green tea.* | | | | Of course, green tea is not a magic bullet, |
| | | | and is not designed to replace traditional |
| For men, the study found a slightly lower | | | | cancer treatments. However, it certainly |
| risk of cancer among the green tea drinkers; | | | | appears that green tea is an important tool |
| however it was not enough to be considered | | | | for protecting your body against many types |
| significant. | | | | of cancer and other illnesses, and may even |
| | | | be an effective adjunct treatment for those |
| In addition, it was found that a higher than | | | | who already have cancer. |
| average number of the male participants in | | | | |
| the study were smokers, so this may have | | | | So, add some green tea to your diet. Its |
| skewed the results, since smoking increases a | | | | delicious and you have nothing to lose. There |
| persons overall risk of cancer. | | | | are no side effects and green tea is well |
| | | | tolerated even by the caffeine sensitive. |
| Why Green Tea? | | | | Drinking green tea may be the simplest thing |
| | | | you can do to protect your health. |