A study showing how green tea alters pancreatic cancer cells’ metabolism opens up new space to fight this cruel disease. Scientists have considered green tea and its extracts for many years as a potential treatment for cancer and a cure for several other serious diseases. Scientists struggled even though they knew about green tea’s healing properties, how green tea and its extracts affect cancer reduction and slow down cancer cell growth.
A recently published study offers explanations that can open a new chapter in cancer research and fight. The study states that EGCG, the biologically active ingredient in green tea, alters the metabolism of pancreatic cancer cells and suppresses the increased concentration of enzymes directly related to the development and spread of cancer.
“Scientists believe the solution affects the molecular mechanism of cancer cells, and this study shows that in this way, it is possible to change cell metabolism and influence the development of cancer,” said Wai Nang Lee, creator of the study. LA BioMed Institute. “Explaining how the active ingredient in green tea can prevent cancer, this study will open the door to a new approach and treatment for cancer and help us understand how some other biologically active substances can affect the prevention and slowing of cancer cell growth.”
Scientists have proven that the active substance or EGCG directly affects the reduction of enzymes that increase cancer cells’ activity. In this way, they can disrupt cancer cells’ processes and prevent their further development and proliferation. In this way, the balance in cancer cells and their metabolic functions are disturbed.
“This is a completely new approach to cancer treatment,” Lee said. “We now know how to affect cancer cell metabolism and how we can disrupt this process. In the future, we can use this knowledge to change cancer and prevent it.”
What is green tea
In China and Japan, green tea has been used as a medicine for centuries. The tea is made from the dried leaves of the plant Camellia Sinensis. This tea is also called Chinese tea.
The manufacturers advertise this tea as a dietary supplement. They claim that tea controls blood sugar levels, cholesterol, blood pressure, and weight. People also drink it because they believe that it has a preventive effect on certain cancer types.
Scientists believe the substance in green tea that helps the most with cancer is catechin. It is also called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). This tea contains caffeine and theanine.
Why people with cancer use green tea
There is evidence to suggest that using green tea can reduce the risk of some cancers.
People with cancer drink green tea because:
- He increases the heir immune system activity, which can help fight cancer.
- Improves health and energy levels.
- It reduces the level of toxins in the human body.
- It gives control over cancer and helps with the treatment.
- Black tea was also promoted in the media as an anti-cancer agent. Black tea comes from the same plant as green tea. Black tea is obtained from the fermented leaves of the plant.
How to take it
Green tea, like other types of tea, is prepared in the form of bags or leaves. You add boiling water to it. There are several different views on how much tea you need to feel better. The manufacturers claim that between 2 and 5 cups a day are needed.
Most green tea products contain caffeine. It will stimulate you and keep you awake if you drink it before you go to bed. Some manufacturers produce decaffeinated green tea. It has not been investigated whether caffeine’s removal reduces this tea’s antioxidant effect.
EGCG is a perfect substance in green tea, and it is also available in green tea extract. People take this substance as a supplement in liquid, tablets, or capsules.
Manufacturers sell green tea as a herbal supplement worldwide.
Ailments caused by herbal tea
Generally, green tea is safe to consume, but it contains stimulant caffeine. If you drink it in large quantities, you can have problems falling asleep, have headaches and feel torn.
EGCG, if green tea is drunk in large quantities, can cause disease and can cause stomach problems. Large quantities can also be toxic to the liver and lead to liver enzyme form changes.
Green tea and cancer
Some laboratory studies have shown that green tea extract can stop cancer cells from growing.
Green tea contains substances called polyphenols. A subset of these polyphenols is called catechins. Scientists believe that catechins give green tea antioxidant properties. The catechins in green tea are called EGCG. Scientists believe that EGCG has anti-carcinogenic properties.
This research is encouraging. But we need human studies to prove them.
The researchers published a study on humans in 2014 in which they are suggested that green tea may have a preventive effect on the development of oral cancer.
Other studies have been shown to reduce the expansion of lung cancer, tracheal cancer, and bladder cancer.
Breast cancer and green tea
In 2108, researchers conducted several more studies. It has been proven that green tea can preventively stop the development of breast cancer. Green tea also protects the body from the recurrence of breast cancer. These studies were not extensive. Scientists have concluded that more studies are needed to prove that green tea affects breast cancer.
Prostate cancer
The researchers looked at whether green tea affected precancerous cells prostate cancer. A 2018 study proved that substances from green tea could stop prostate cancer development.
Bowel cancer
The researchers conducted a 2017 study on 39 patients. Doctors studied people who were at high risk of getting anus cancer and colon. They found that green tea can reduce the number of ACF cells. ACF cells are pre-cancerous cells of the colon and anus.