ORIGIN OF TEA || TEA GLOSSARY || BENEFITS OF TEA || TEA RECEPIES || TEA GROWING AREAS

Research suggests that tea consumption may have beneficial effects in reducing certain cancer risks. As tea is one of the most popular drinks in the world, any possible relationship between its consumption and a reduced incidence of cancer in humans is therefore of great importance.

Many laboratory studies have shown that tea and its individual constituents may have a beneficial effect on both the prevention of cancer and on the reduction in size of established tumours.

Population studies looking at the relationship between tea consumption and cancer indicate a protective effect of tea against some cancer's. A large investigation of the relationship between tea consumption of the incidence of oesophageal cancer suggests a risk reduction of about 20% among male and 50% among female drinkers of green tea. This study and recent trials suggest that it is the antioxidant found in tea which are protective against cancers of the oesophagus and stomach.

Further research is needed on the effects of tea on cancer, particularly with regard to black tea which is the major form of tea consumed in Western countries.