What Are the Real Benefits of Green Tea Headlines announcing a recent Journal of the American Medical Association study linked consumption of green tea with protection from stroke, but not cancer, caught many people (1) surprise. Tea provides a good example of (2) we need to consider both laboratory and population studies in choosing steps to (3) cancer risk and promote overall health. Green tea (4) relatively high amounts of a type of phytochemical called EGCG, proven in laboratory studies to be a powerful antioxidant. A variety of antioxidants (5) plant foods seem to stabilize "free radicals," protecting DNA from damage that could (6) cancer to develop, and protecting blood vessels from damage that could promote blockages. Studies show EGCG can (7) increase production of enzymes that protect us from cancer-causing substances, (8) levels of a substance key to promoting cancer development, and increase cancer cell self-destruction. In most studies checking signs of green tea’s effects in people, antioxidant levels (9) the blood increase, showing we can absorb antioxidant compounds in tea. For example, in a study of 133 heavy (10) who are exposed (11) DNA damage from smoking -- four months of drinking four cups (8 ounces each) of decaffeinated green tea daily reduced the signs of DNA damage by 31 percent. But large population-based studies of the impact of green tea show (12) less consistent results. Conflicting -- and Confusing -- Results Some link higher green tea consumption (13) lower risk of colon, stomach, breast, prostate and other cancers. Other, similar-type studies, (14) no effect. In the recent (15) of more than 40,000 Japanese adults, those who drank at least one 3 ounce cup of green tea daily suffered 25 percent fewer deaths (16) to cardiovascular disease (17) those who did not drink it daily. But, deaths due to stomach, lung or colorectal cancer did not decrease, (18) with five or more 3 ounce cups daily. It’s possible we might see cancer protection (19) we look at those drinking the equivalent of three or four 8 ounce cups daily, which some researchers suggest may be needed (20) cancer protection.