"Medicines are remedies for specific diseases, while tea is a remedy for all diseases." Tea has always been known for its medicinal and healthcare benefits. Nowadays, the health benefits of tea are gaining attention, and research on its therapeutic effects is increasing. So, what diseases can tea prevent or combat?
Cancer Prevention
Over 4,000 authoritative papers on "tea and cancer prevention" prove that EGCG, a major component of tea polyphenols, is effective against almost all cancers, especially uterine, skin, lung, colon, prostate, liver, kidney, and breast cancer.
Researchers from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that various types of tea can block cancer cell synthesis by an average of 65%, demonstrating their anti-cancer properties.
Regular consumption of green tea reduces cancer incidence by over 60%
Studies by Japan's National Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University in the U.S., and Curtin University in Australia on "green tea and prostate cancer" show that men who regularly drink green tea have a 60% lower incidence rate compared to those who don't.
Drinking 2 cups of tea daily reduces ovarian cancer risk by 46%
Researchers at Sweden's Karolinska Institute analyzed data from 61,057 women aged 40–76 (including 301 diagnosed with ovarian cancer). Compared to women who rarely or never drank tea, those who drank less than 1 cup daily had an 18% lower risk, 1–2 cups reduced the risk by 24%, and over 2 cups lowered it by 46%. More tea consumption correlated with lower ovarian cancer risk.
Regular black tea drinkers have a 71% lower risk of Parkinson's disease
A 12-year study by the National University of Singapore tracked 63,257 Chinese Singaporeans aged 45–75. It found that middle-aged and elderly people who regularly drank black tea had a 71% lower risk of Parkinson's compared to non-tea drinkers.
Drinking 10 small cups of tea daily reduces cardiovascular disease risk by 42%
Japanese epidemiological studies show that compared to those who drink fewer than 3 cups (30 ml per cup) of tea daily, men who drink 10 small cups have a 42% lower cardiovascular risk, while women have an 18% reduction.
Medical research has found that heart disease patients who drink 4 cups of black tea daily can increase blood vessel dilation from 6% to 10%.
71.4% of cataract patients do not drink tea
Among cataract patients, 28.6% are habitual tea drinkers, while 71.4% are not.
82% of diabetic patients show significant improvement after continuous tea consumption
Researchers at Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University in Japan found that 1,300 diabetic patients who drank cold-brewed tea for six months experienced significant symptom relief in 82% of cases, with about 9% achieving normal blood sugar levels.
EGCG effectively blocks HIV
A study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology by British and American scientists reported that EGCG in tea can effectively block HIV transmission in humans, preventing the virus from spreading once immunity is established.
Tea polyphenols kill 10,000 toxic E. coli bacteria
Researchers at Showa University in Japan tested tea polyphenol solution diluted to 1/20th of normal tea strength. When 10,000 toxic E. coli O-157 bacteria were added, all were dead within five hours. Tea polyphenols act as potent disinfectants, protecting the gut!
Black tea can kill cold viruses
Black tea at 5% concentration can completely kill cold viruses, while typical tea strength is 2–5%. Japanese researchers proved that even at 1/5th of normal drinking strength, black tea inactivates 99.999% of flu viruses. Gargling with black tea daily can prevent colds and flu.
Beyond disease prevention, tea also offers beauty and health benefits like skin whitening and enhanced immunity.
Antioxidant power: One cup of tea equals 12 bottles of white wine
Tests confirm that a 300ml cup of tea has antioxidant effects equivalent to 1.5 bottles of red wine, 12 bottles of white wine, 12 glasses of beer, 4 apples, 5 onions, or 7 glasses of orange juice. Tea makes you more beautiful!
Anti-aging: 18 times stronger than vitamin E
Japanese researchers found that tea polyphenols are 18 times more effective at anti-aging than vitamin E, making tea a natural way to slow aging.
Weight loss: Drinking 8–10g of tea daily can shed ~3 pounds
Without dieting or exercise, consuming 8–10g of tea daily can lead to a 3-pound weight loss in 12 weeks, solely due to tea's effects.
Boosts immunity
The Tea Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences conducted thousands of tests on mice, showing that those fed tea or injected with tea extracts had significantly better health markers than regular mice. Tea enhances immunity.
As a national drink with a millennia-old legacy, tea's benefits are undeniable. Compared to other beverages, tea is natural and healthy. When thirsty, don’t forget a cup of tea!!