(from yesterday's ABC News)
While previous studies have suggested that green tea can protect smokers against cancer.
Now there's another discovery that shows why smokers should pay close attention to this research.
ABC 2 news health reporter Kelly Swoope has the details.
There's something interesting brewing for smokers who haven't yet kicked the habit.
From reducing the risk of cancer to arthritis to cholesterol, green tea has been the rage.
Now researchers at the University of Rochester have zeroed in on two chemicals in the tea that help protect against harmful cigarette smoke.
"We did experiments with concentrations that would be tobacco smoke constituents."
The researchers tested extracts of green tea on the a-h hydrocarbon receptor a key protein that tobacco relies onto cause cancer. Two of the tea's potent chemical compounds ---- g-c-g and e-g-c...shut down the toxic protein in the cancer cells of mice. Now there's some evidence it may work the same in human cells.
"It’s hard to say what, how effective these concentrations could be in, humans. So there's still a lot more that needs to be done."
"We don't really know how many cups would be effective against how many cigarettes that are smoked for example."
Make no mistake green tea is not an antidote for smoking. Experts say the best thing is to quit, but until then researchers suggest drinking three to four cups of green tea per day to add a little protection.
Kelly Swoope 2 your health.
