Green Tea
Page last modified on: July 25, 2007
Also known as: Camellia sinensis, green tea polyphenols, EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate).
Potential uses: There are claims that EGCG, the primary antioxidant in green tea, may reduce the risk of breast and other cancers.
Usual dose: About three to four cups per day.
Are there any risks? Green tea has about 25 milligrams of caffeine per cup, less than black tea and coffee. But if you're sensitive to caffeine, it can make you jittery and nauseated.
What does the research show? In laboratory studies, EGCG has been shown to change the growth of cancer cells. But no studies in humans have been done so far. Research is just starting to look at how green tea may influence cancer risk.