Reason Behind Low Incidence Of Cancer Among Chinese
Sunday, June 1st, 2008Chinese are the largest consumers of tobacco in the world. Tobacco is a proven cancer triggering agent. Yet the incidence of lung cancer is one tenth that of American men, the incidence of breast cancer in Chinese women is about one sixth that for American women. The incidence of fatal prostate cancer is one thirtieth that of American men.
While this statistics has baffled many it has only proven the point that certain foods we intake has the power to prevent the occurrence of cancer.
In this case the consumption of green tea has been attributed to the low incidence of cancer among Chinese. Green tea has abundant amounts of in catechin polyphenols like epigallocatechin gallate. This is a powerful anti-oxidant and it also inhibits the growth of cancer cells. It destroys the cancer cells in bud without harming healthy tissue. Many laboratory studies have shown that when cancerous tumor cells were treated with epigallocatechin their growth was significantly reduced. Normally after consuming 2- 3 cups of green tea our body is filled up with enough antioxidants to take on cancer cells. Chinese drink this much and much more amount of green tea.
Green tea and black tea are derived from the common tea leaves Camellia sinensis. The difference lies in processing. While black tea is allowed to fully ferment green tea is steamed and not allowed to ferment. This retains the antioxidants in green tea.
