Green Tea Doesn"t Lower Cancer Risk, U.S. FDA Says

WASHINGTON JUL 01, 2005 (Reuters) - Contrary to what some studies claim, green tea probably does not help prevent breast, prostate or any other type of cancer, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Thursday.

It said studies supporting the assertions are weak.

"Two studies do not show that drinking green tea reduces the risk of breast cancer in women, but one weaker, more limited study suggests that drinking green tea may reduce this risk," the FDA said in a statement.

"Based on these studies, FDA concludes that it is highly unlikely that green tea reduces the risk of breast cancer."

Likewise, only one "weak and limited" study shows that drinking green tea can reduce the risk of prostate cancer, the FDA said.

"The FDA also concluded that existing evidence does not support qualified health claims for green tea consumption and a reduced risk of any other type of cancer," the agency said.


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