Green Tea Good for the Gut

TOKYOConsuming five or more cups of green tea a day may reduce the risk of women developing stomach cancer by 20 percent, according to a report published Gut.

Researchers at the National Cancer Center in Tokyo analyzed original data from six cohort studies that measured green tea consumption using validated questionnaires at baseline. Hazard ratios (HRs) in the individual studies were calculated, with adjustment for a common set of variables, and combined using a random-effects model.

The researchers concluded that green teas antioxidants may protect against gastric cancer and may include compounds that fight bacteria that have been linked to stomach cancer. The studies followed more than 219,000 men and women 40 years and older, who were followed between seven and 11 years. Overall, about four in five of the participants reported drinking green tea daily, with about one-third drinking five or more cups per day.