Green Tea Might Help Patients With Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is currently one of the most common male cancers and the second leading cause of cancer death in men. Findings from a recent study suggests that green tea may help fight prostate cancer . The study, conducted in a mouse model of human prostate cancer, showed that substances called polyphenols present in the drink combat the disease on multiple levels. Polyphenols alter the insulin-like, growth-factor-driven pathway present in prostate tumors and cause reduced expression of proteins known to cause the cancer to spread to other parts of the body. The green tea polyphenols also cut down on the amount of vascular endothelial growth factor in the tumors, a substance known to play a role in developing new blood vessels to carry nutrients to the tumor.

Research done in the past shows that an oral dose of green tea achievable in humans resulted in significant inhibition of prostate cancer and progression of the disease. Prostate cancer usually strikes older men, thus researchers believe substances such as green tea that are capable of holding off the disease for as long as possible could have important health benefits.