Great article over at The Jewish Times, notes that although green tea has healthy properties, it has not been conclusively found that it is indeed a cancer-preventing agent.

They note that green tea unlike its cousin black tea, has high levels of polyphenols, and that “polyphenols are chemicals that act as powerful antioxidants. In turn, antioxidants may protect cells from damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals”.

But they ask in the article, can green tea help you lose weight or protect you against heart disease or cancer?

They consulted with two dieticians, and this is what the two experts had to report,

• “the studies are very mixed” says dietician and nutrition educator, Mindy Athas
• “polyphenols or antioxidants are believed to be protective to cells. However, the extent to which they prevent or reduce heart disease [or cancer] beyond traditional lifestyle or proven pharmacologic therapies remains to be determined,” says cardiologist, Michael Miller

Several studies are in the works at major universities and hospitals across the nation to prove green teas efficacy and health benefits better. Results to follow soon.

But both Athas and Miller conclude the article by saying that they are asked regularly by patients, whether they should drink green tea? and both doctors, unanimously agree, that yes, you should drink it but in its natural form and that a freshly brewed cup is best.

Source [The Jewish Times]