Green tea is rich in polyphenols, which appear to have anti-cancer properties. Green tea, and its extracts, have already been shown to prevent cancer in a number of animal and lab studies, although clinical evidence is still lacking. In the first trial of its kind, researchers at the University of Texas M.D.Anderson Cancer Center show that green tea extract may help prevent oral cancer. According to the American Cancer Society oral cancer has a five year survival rate of less than 50%. Smoking and heavy drinking are potent risk factors for oral cancer.

A group of 41 patients with oral leukoplakia received either green tea extract or placebo for three months. Oral leukoplakia is a mouth condition that may lead to oral cancer. It is characterized by a thickened white patch on the mucous membranes inside the mouth. In the trail, patients received one of three doses of green tea extract – the highest being the equivalent of drinking eight cups of green tea a day.

The patients underwent oral biopsy at the start and at 12 weeks. These biomarker studies showed that nearly 60% on the highest dose of green tea extract had a clinical response. This is compared to 37% on the lowest dose of green tea extract and 18% in the placebo group. The findings are encouraging but the study was small. Longer and larger scale studies are needed to see if green tea can really prevent oral, or any other, cancer. Meanwhile, remember that your regular dental exams will also include a check for mouth conditions like oral leukoplakia – so make sure you are up to date with your dentist.

Source.

Tsao A et al Phase II Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of  Green Tea Extract in Patients with High-Risk Oral Premalignant Lesions Cancer Prevention Research 2, 931, November 1, 2009. doi: 10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-09-0121