This Is the #1 Best Tea for Cancer Patients, New Research Suggests
If you're a tea drinker, then you surely know that it can have a soothing effect that many people appreciate either early in the morning or during the evening not to mention tea time if you happen to be British.
You likely also know that there is a wide range of tea options—such as lemon tea, valerian tea, and oolong tea, which are all great for weight loss—and it turns out that green tea might be the best option for people who have cancer.
In a study which was published by JAMA Dermatology, 165 breast cancer patients who were a median age of 46 years old and who were going through radiation treatments participated in a blind trial. After being split into two groups, half of the patients were given a placebo while the other half were asked to use a solution containing epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is found in green tea. The results showed that those who used the EGCG solution were less likely to suffer from severe radiation-induced dermatitis (RID).
"Green tea extract and its principal active ingredient, EGCG, are gaining attention with increased usage for radiation-induced damage," the study authors said, according to Medscape.
"I think this is a wonderful study as it clearly showed that an inexpensive, safe intervention (applying EGCG to the skin) reduces a common side effect of radiation," Dr. Ellen Albertson, PhD, RDN, NBC-HWC, and The Midlife Whisperer™ at Tiger Wellness, LLC, tells Eat This, Not That!.
When it comes to how green tea helps cancer patients who may face RID, Dr. Albertson explains it "is rich in polyphenols that have anti-inflammatory properties, which can reduce skin redness, irritation, and swelling," which are "all common side effects of radiation."
However, Dr. Albertson also notes that "if you are undergoing chemotherapy," you need to be sure to "talk with your doctor, as green tea contains extracts that may interfere with how well chemotherapy drugs work."
To find out more about why you may want to opt for this particular brew, be sure to read 7 Amazing Benefits of Drinking Green Tea.
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