Green Tea Benefits

between green tea consumption and breast cancer risk. An earlier study about breast cancer risk among Asian-American women showed that green tea intake had a strong protective effect, while the more commonly consumed black tea had no effect at all, Wu said.

Ironically, both green and black teas come from the same Camellia sinensis plant, which is native to Asia. However, the leaves of the black tea undergo a fermentation process that strips the plant of its natural polyphenol compounds.  These compounds give the tea its antioxidant properties, Wu says.

Green tea does not go through this fermentation process.

Results from the small pilot study suggest that regular green tea drinkers had lower blood estrogen levels, while regular black tea drinkers had higher blood estrogen levels. Wu said higher levels of estrogen are associated with a higher risk for breast cancer.

While green tea is gaining in popularity around the world in part due to reports of its disease fighting properties, consumption still lags far behind black tea in most cultures.

Regardless of whether the benefits are as widespread as some reports claim, a few cups of green tea is a smart addition to a diet as a replacement for high-calorie sodas and fruit drinks.