Green Tea May Protect from Prostate Cancer

by Michael Greger, M.D.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of male cancer death in Western countries, but countries like China have 60 times lower prostate cancer rates than the United States. This month,[5] Australian researchers published evidence that some of that protection may be because of green tea consumption (without milk). They found that the men drinking the most green tea seemed to have up to 90% less risk of developing prostate cancer.

As always, vegetarians should try to limit their green or black tea consumption during meals, as tea can interfere with the absorption of iron from plant foods. It doesn't interfere with the absorption of iron from blood, so those who eat blood--meateaters--can drink tea anytime.

REFERENCES

5 International Journal of Cancer 108(2004):130.