| This year, 40,000 women will die from breast | | | | with high angiotensin II activity would be more |
| cancer, and over 200,000 will be diagnosed with | | | | susceptible to the protective effects of green tea. |
| the disease. Researchers are hard at work to | | | | So, in this study, researchers looked at 297 |
| determine ways to prevent breast cancer, helping | | | | women with breast cancer and just over 600 |
| women learn how to protect themselves from | | | | control subjects. The study concluded that among |
| this frightening disease. | | | | the women with high angiotensin II activity, green |
| As it stands today, about 13% of American | | | | tea was able to significantly lower the risk of |
| women will develop breast cancer at some point | | | | breast cancer. The green tea did not appear to |
| during their lifetime. A better understanding of the | | | | have a protective effect on the women with |
| causes of breast cancer and ways to prevent it | | | | lower than average angiotensin II activity.* |
| can help us reduce that number in our lifetime. | | | | This study didn't show that it was necessary to |
| We know that a healthy diet and exercise are | | | | consume green tea in large quantities in order to |
| important to preventing breast and other cancers. | | | | see benefit. The study concluded that women |
| In particular, a diet rich in anti-oxidants can help | | | | who drank green tea weekly were at a lower risk |
| the body age gracefully and avoid diseases like | | | | than those who drank it only monthly or not at all. |
| cancer and heart disease. | | | | This conclusion is on target with other research |
| Anti-oxidants are important because they fight | | | | that has shown that drugs which inhibit angiotensin |
| free radicals created in the body as it converts | | | | activity (drugs to treat high blood pressure) |
| food to energy. These free radicals can cause | | | | reduce a woman's risk of breast cancer over |
| disease and aging over time. Anti-oxidants and | | | | those women whose blood pressure goes |
| their ability to check free radicals help to keep our | | | | untreated. It seems that keeping angiotensin II at |
| bodies young and healthy. | | | | bay is effective at reducing blood pressure |
| Fruits and vegetables are among the best | | | | problems and lowering breast cancer risk at the |
| sources of anti-oxidants. In particular, vegetables | | | | same time. |
| such as artichokes, tomatoes, and asparagus | | | | This is promising news for those who may be at |
| along with fruits like blueberries and pomegranates | | | | a higher uncontrollable risk of breast cancer. |
| can help reduce your chances of disease and | | | | Angiotensin activity, like some other risk factors |
| keep you young. | | | | for breast cancer, such as family history, cannot |
| Another significant source of anti-oxidants is green | | | | be controlled or moderated. But, if green tea can |
| tea. Green tea comes from the Camellia sinensis | | | | lessen the impact of angiotensin II activity, this |
| plant, as does all true tea. Green tea is higher in | | | | may minimize the risk of breast cancer for a |
| anti-oxidants than black tea because it is not | | | | large group of higher risk women. |
| fermented during processing. The lack of | | | | We all know that it's important for each of us to |
| fermentation leaves the tea plant's anti-oxidants in | | | | take an active role in protecting our health. And, |
| their most natural and protective state, making it | | | | as more research is performed, it becomes more |
| one of the most protective substances you can | | | | evident that drinking green tea is an especially |
| consume. | | | | simple and effective way to do so. |
| Scientists have spent years researching the | | | | Adding green tea to your daily life is simple and |
| potential of green tea, particularly its ability to | | | | delicious. Green tea is available loose, in bottles and |
| prevent, and even treat cancers, including breast | | | | in tea bags. You can make your own cup of hot |
| cancer. They have learned that green tea offers | | | | tea to warm up a cold night, keep a pitcher of |
| much potential in prevention of breast cancer. | | | | iced green tea in the refrigerator, or grab a |
| One study in particular looked at women in | | | | bottled green tea on the way to your workout. |
| Singapore who had a higher than average risk of | | | | You can find green tea flavored with many |
| breast cancer. This study, reported by the UK | | | | different fruit flavors to suit any palate. And, if |
| Tea Council, studied women who had a high level | | | | that still doesn't get you enough green tea to help |
| of angiotensin II activity. Angiotensin is an | | | | your health, there are green tea supplements, |
| ogliopeptide in the blood that causes blood vessels | | | | too. Simply pop a green tea supplement with your |
| to constrict, causing high blood pressure. It also | | | | vitamins each day to help get an extra dose. |
| releases aldosterone from the adrenal cortex. | | | | Keep in mind that it appears that even drinking |
| Aldosterone is a hormone that regulates | | | | moderate amounts of green tea can help protect |
| potassium and sodium in the blood. | | | | your health. |
| Women who have low angiotensin II activity | | | | So, grab a cup of green tea. You're certain to |
| seem to be at a lower risk for breast cancer. | | | | enjoy it, and you may be protecting your health, |
| Therefore, researchers theorized that women | | | | too! |