Recent Scientific Studies Show Promise of Matcha Being Linked to Helping Be Supportive to Combating Cancer

Green tea has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years to help address a range of health problems. From providing relaxed yet focused energy for meditation and soothing away belly aches to treating certain types of cancer. But you may be wondering – is there any real evidence behind drinking matcha green tea to help treat cancer? Are there compounds found IN matcha are linked to cancer prevention?

Clinical studies suggest compounds found in green tea suggest it may help fight oxidative stress that can lead to life-threatening diseases – including certain forms of cancer.

Keep reading to find out how drinking one or two cups of matcha green tea daily holds the potential to change your odds of developing and recovering from cancer.

What are Polyphenols? What are catechins? The most potent matcha green tea cancer-fighting compounds

Since the late 1980s, scientists have conducted thousands of studies delving into the potential health benefits of green tea. However, we must note that it was only recently that scientific researchers have begun to truly understand the mechanisms behind green tea’s health benefits concerning its high concentration of phytochemicals – known as polyphenols.

Matcha green tea – a highly-concentrated, finely powdered form of green tea made from 100% ground Camellia sinensis leaves – is packed with polyphenols. Polyphenols – also called flavonoids – are naturally occurring compounds that we ingest through specific plant-based foods – such as fresh tea leaves, fruits, and red wine. 

Though over 8,000 different polyphenols have been discovered, researchers are still trying to determine precisely how these naturally occurring chemicals impact the human body. (3)

When ingested, polyphenols act as antioxidants in the body, which means they help support your body and neutralize free radicals that often damage cells. 

Wait, what are free radicals?

Of course, it may be hard to grasp this connection unless you know the definition of free radicals. So let’s take a step back. 

Free radicals are the highly reactive oxygen molecules produced by ‘everyday’ external life factors, such as air pollution, smoking, chemical exposure, and radiation. And when you don’t neutralize free radicals with antioxidants in the body, cells become damaged and injured – which increases your risk of serious health problems down the line, such as cancer.

Matcha's incredible antioxidant properties thanks to its high number of catechins are what make drinking it so effective at helping cleanse the body of toxins. 

What are catechins?

An increasing amount of recent research has suggested the specific polyphenols found in green tea – known as catechins – may lower the risk of bodily cells mutating from oxidative damage and becoming cancerous. (13)

Many of matcha’s health benefits are linked to epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a major grouping of catechins that helps keep immune system functions balanced and cancerous cells at bay.

Naturally-occurring polyphenols found in green tea may reduce the risk of certain cancers

You’ve probably heard that plant-based diets are often linked to reducing cancer risk. Well, the catechins found in plants are likely at least partially responsible! Per the National Cancer Institute (NCI), EGCG (a specific catechin unique to green tea) may help: (11)

• Support cells against DNA damage
• Activate detoxification enzymes that inhibit tumor growth
• Promote cancer cell death

Research has shown the catechins uniquely found in matcha green tea may help reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as: (8)

• Breast cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Lung Cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Pancreatic cancer (6)

Green tea compounds that address breast cancer | Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG)

Even though the specific mechanisms behind breast cancer treatment and green tea catechins remain elusive, there has been a fair amount of in-vitro and vitro studies that accurately link an association between green tea and a lower risk of contracting breast cancer.

Is matcha powder anti-cancer? A lot of matcha's health benefits are linked to epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a group catechins that regulate immune system functions and have been suggested in studies to promote anticancer activity.

EGCG is most abundantly found in matcha green tea. It is an antioxidant that exhibits the highest potential for cancer-fighting abilities that has been studied to reduce inflammation, aid in weight loss, and potentially help support combating specific chronic conditions such as cancer.

You can learn more about EGCG specifically here.

Ovarian cancer and daily green tea drinking

Various studies have demonstrated a decline in ovarian cancer risk with regularly drinking green tea. For example, a Swedish study specifically comparing tea consumption to the risk of ovarian cancer in more than 60,000 women between 40-76 found that women who drank at least 2 cups of tea daily had a 46% lower risk of ovarian cancer than non-tea drinkers. 

Another study examining components in green tea and their impact on epithelial ovarian cancer found a link to a lower expression of proteins involved in inflammation, cell signalization, cell motility, and angiogenesis. In other words – the latest science suggests an inverse association between drinking tea and ovarian cancer risk.

Learn more about matcha and female-specific health benefits here.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MATCHA.COM (@matchakari)

Green tea may help fight lung cancer

According to a systematic review on green tea and lung cancer that looked at over 84 scientific studies, the science isn’t there yet to count on a cup of matcha green to curb your risk of lung cancer. There just isn’t enough evidence from controlled human trials to support green tea as a primary treatment or combative agent for lung cancer.

However, you may still want to consider drinking green tea if you are at a higher risk for lung cancer. Why do you ask? There is growing evidence suggesting green tea – both consumed orally and used topically – may have some chemopreventive benefits. 

In other words, drinking green tea may help with some of the adverse side effects of chemotherapy, but this depends on which chemotherapy drugs you may be on.

So if you are currently undergoing chemo, we recommend exercising caution and touching base with your doctor before adding matcha green tea to your daily wellness repertoire.

Green tea and prostate cancer

Findings presented back in 2012 at the American Association for Cancer Research revealed men with prostate cancer who regularly drank green tea had less prostate tissue inflammation and other changes linked to cancer growth. (4)

In the study, 79 men with prostate cancer had six cups of brewed green tea (equivalent to 2 cups of matcha) or water daily for three to eight weeks. 

Researchers in the study noted that in the 3-8 week period, they could not inhibit tumor growth in participants – and that a longer-term study is needed to determine this. (10)

Learn more about green tea men’s health benefits here.

Green tea and the risk of pancreatic cancer

There is still little known about the specific connection on how green tea may lower pancreatic cancer risk – but there is promise.

A large-scale, population-based case-control study in Shanghai, China, focused on uncovering the associations between tea and the risk of pancreatic cancer. Researchers focused on collecting information on tea drinking, including: (6)

• The kind of tea consumed
• The amount of tea consumed
• The temperature the tea is prepared at
• Number of days and duration of tea drinking

According to the results published, researchers found that women drinking green tea daily were linked to a 32% reduction in risk of pancreatic cancer compared to those who did not drink tea regularly. (16)

Furthermore, the male and female study participants who drank more green tea for a more extended period, prepared at lower temperatures, and in higher volume were associated with a reduced risk of pancreatic cancer. 

People at high risk or with cancer may also consider drinking matcha green tea because:

• Detoxifying: Matcha green tea has detoxifying effects and may help remove toxins from the body. (2)

• General Well-being: Green tea improves their overall physical and mental health and a general sense of well-being

• Self-management: The daily routine of having a cup of matcha enables a sense of control and agency over cancer treatment and empowers individuals with chronic illness.

• Immune-boosting: Green tea has powerful immune-boosting properties, as it’s loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants and polyphenols.

The Bottom Line: More research is needed around matcha and cancer-fighting properties

At this time, the impact of regular green tea consumption on human cancer has been inconclusive.

The potential properties of matcha green tea that may impact cancer have been portrayed using animal models for common cancers and also suggested by recent in-depth epidemiological studies.

Researchers are still discovering the health benefits of matcha green tea and its healthful compounds, and there’s no doubt more research is needed to understand all the potential good matcha green tea can provide. 

Disclaimer: These statements in this blog post have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information provided here is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. It's essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any dietary or lifestyle changes

References:

1. Chacko, S. M., Thambi, P. T., Kuttan, R., & Nishigaki, I. (2010). Beneficial effects of green tea: A literature review. Chinese Medicine, 5(1), 13. https://doi.org/10.1186/1749-8546-5-13
2. Chen, L., Mo, H., Zhao, L., Gao, W., Wang, S., Cromie, M. M., Lu, C., Wang, J. S., & Shen, C. L. (2017). Therapeutic properties of green tea against environmental insults. The Journal of nutritional biochemistry, 40, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnutbio.2016.05.005
3. Cory, H., Passarelli, S., Szeto, J., Tamez, M., & Mattei, J. (2018, September 21). The Role of Polyphenols in Human Health and Food Systems: A Mini-Review. Frontiers in Nutrition, 5. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2018.00087
4. Fujiki, H., Sueoka, E., Watanabe, T., & Suganuma, M. (2015, March 30). Primary Cancer Prevention by Green Tea, and Tertiary Cancer Prevention by the Combination of Green Tea Catechins and Anticancer Compounds. Journal of Cancer Prevention, 20(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.15430/jcp.2015.20.1.1
5. Fujiki, H., Watanabe, T., Sueoka, E., Rawangkan, A., & Suganuma, M. (2018). Cancer Prevention with Green Tea and Its Principal Constituent, EGCG: from Early Investigations to Current Focus on Human Cancer Stem Cells. Molecules and cells, 41(2), 73–82.
6. Kochman, J., Jakubczyk, K., Antoniewicz, J., Mruk, H., & Janda, K. (2020, December 27). Health Benefits and Chemical Composition of Matcha Green Tea: A Review. Molecules, 26(1), 85. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26010085
7. Larsson, S. C., & Wolk, A. (2005, December 12). Tea Consumption and Ovarian Cancer Risk in a Population-Based Cohort. Archives of Internal Medicine, 165(22), 2683. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.165.22.2683
8. Madigan, M., & Karhu, E. (2018, November 8). The role of plant-based nutrition in cancer prevention. Journal of Unexplored Medical Data, 3(11), 9. https://doi.org/10.20517/2572-8180.2018.05
9. McCorkle, R., Ercolano, E., Lazenby, M., Schulman-Green, D., Schilling, L. S., Lorig, K., & Wagner, E. H. (2011, January). Self-management: Enabling and empowering patients living with cancer as a chronic illness. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 61(1), 50–62. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.20093
10. Naponelli, V., Ramazzina, I., Lenzi, C., Bettuzzi, S., & Rizzi, F. (2017, April 5). Green Tea Catechins for Prostate Cancer Prevention: Present Achievements and Future Challenges. Antioxidants, 6(2), 26. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox6020026
11. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms. (n.d.). National Cancer Institute. Retrieved September 15, 2022, from https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/traditional-chinese-medicine
12. Ng, J. Y., Boon, H. S., Thompson, A. K., & Whitehead, C. R. (2016, May 20). Making sense of “alternative”, “complementary”, “unconventional” and “integrative” medicine: exploring the terms and meanings through a textual analysis. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-016-1111-3
13. Sharma, A., Kaur, M., Katnoria, J. K., & Nagpal, A. K. (2018, December 3). Polyphenols in Food: Cancer Prevention and Apoptosis Induction. Current Medicinal Chemistry, 25(36), 4740–4757. https://doi.org/10.2174/0929867324666171006144208
14. Tea and Cancer Prevention. (2010, November 17). National Cancer Institute. Retrieved September 15, 2022, from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/tea-fact-sheet
15. Trudel, D., Labbé, D. P., Bairati, I., Fradet, V., Bazinet, L., & Têtu, B. (2012, September). Green tea for ovarian cancer prevention and treatment: A systematic review of the in vitro, in vivo and epidemiological studies. Gynecologic Oncology, 126(3), 491–498. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygyno.2012.04.048
16. Wang, J., Zhang, W., Sun, L., Yu, H., Ni, Q. X., Risch, H. A., & Gao, Y. T. (2012). Green tea drinking and risk of pancreatic cancer: a large-scale, population-based case-control study in urban Shanghai. Cancer epidemiology, 36(6), e354–e358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canep.2012.08.004
17. Wang, Q. S., Ross, R. K., Yu, M. C., Ning, J. P., Henderson, B. E., & Kimm, H. T. (1992). A case-control study of breast cancer in Tianjin, China. Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology, 1(6), 435–439.
18. Zhan, X., Wang, J., Pan, S., & Lu, C. (2017, April 6). Tea consumption and the risk of ovarian cancer: A meta-analysis of epidemiological studies. Oncotarget, 8(23), 37796–37806. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.16890