If drinking tea is not healthy, it may cause cancer? Study of 450,000 people: drinking tea may be associated with multiple cancers

As the saying goes, "It is better to go without food for three days than without tea for one day." Tea has become one of the most popular beverages in the world, and it is also a healthy drink in the eyes of the public. It is the favorite of many health experts.

The saying that "drinking tea to prevent cancer" has spread to this day, and many studies have found the benefits of tea, but there are also some controversies.

1. Research from Peking University: Tea drinking is associated with a variety of cancers

Researchers from Peking University's Department of Medicine, through a 10.1-year follow-up survey of 455,981 participants, found that drinking tea has little correlation with the risk of cancer, but drinking more than 4 grams of tea a day may increase the risk of gastric cancer by 46%.

If the habit of smoking and drinking is not eliminated, people who drink more than 4 grams of tea a day have a 26% increased risk of overall cancer, a 62% increased risk of lung cancer, and a 29% increased risk of gastric cancer than those who drink tea less than once a week. After removing the effects of smoking and drinking, the relationship between tea drinking and cancer will weaken a lot. People who drank more than 4 grams of tea a day had a 13% higher overall cancer risk, a 31% higher risk of lung cancer, and an 18% higher risk of stomach cancer than those who drank tea less than once a week.

2. Can I still drink tea?

The above-mentioned research and investigation on tea drinking actually has certain limitations. For example, there may be too much bias in the population survey, deviations in the statistics of tea, tobacco and alcohol, and unhealthy tea drinking methods lead to increased cancer risk, etc., which may affect the final research results. , we must do more research to understand the composition of tea.

Tea is very common in China, and drinking tea has become a culture. Tea contains caffeine, tea polyphenols, theanine and other substances , and tea polyphenols such as catechins and flavonoids are the most abundant. Flavonoids have antioxidant properties, and EGCG in catechins can not only resist oxidation and cancer, but also control glycolipid metabolism. Caffeine can refresh the mind, and theanine can play an anti-fatigue effect.

In a word, drinking tea correctly and reasonably is good for health, but there is no consistent evidence that drinking tea can prevent cancer. Usually, don’t take tea as an anti-cancer drug, but continue to have various unhealthy living habits. .

3. Drink tea normally, pay attention to 5 points

The correct and healthy way of drinking tea is indeed beneficial to the body, but we must pay attention to the following points.

1. Do not drink tea on an empty stomach

Qian Duoduo, director of the Capital Society of Health and Nutrition Food, pointed out that tea contains a lot of caffeine, tea polyphenols and other substances. Drinking tea on an empty stomach is likely to stimulate the stomach, causing dizziness, palpitation and other symptoms.

2. Avoid drinking tea immediately after meals

Zhang Xiaoyan, director of the Nutrition Department of the Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province, pointed out that it is not advisable to drink tea immediately after meals. After the tannic acid in tea enters the stomach, it may affect the secretion of gastric juice and intestinal juice, causing symptoms such as indigestion and dry stool. Tea may also affect the absorption of iron, it is best to drink tea 1 hour after meals.

3. Do not drink hot tea

Li Shujun, chief physician of the Department of Gastroenterology at Beijing Tsinghua Chang Gung Hospital, pointed out that food and soup above 65 degrees may scald the esophageal mucosa, and regular consumption may increase the risk of gastric cancer and esophageal cancer.

4. Drink less sugar-sweetened tea drinks

Drinking too much sugar-sweetened tea beverages may cause the blood sugar in the body to rise. It is recommended to choose low-sugar or sugar-free tea beverages to avoid excessive sugar intake.

5. Do not drink strong tea

The tannic acid and caffeine contained in strong tea are very high. Drinking too much will affect the absorption of iron in the body, so avoid drinking strong tea.

Not only may tea not be able to fight cancer, but it is also associated with an increased risk of cancer, but this does not mean that tea cannot be drunk, but it is necessary to drink tea properly and healthily. If you want to drink tea properly, it is recommended not to drink it on an empty stomach, not to drink hot tea, not to drink strong tea, not to drink tea immediately after meals, to drink less sugar-sweetened tea drinks, etc.

References:

[1] "Drinking tea to prevent cancer? Think more! The 10-year data of 500,000 people shows that compared with people who hardly drink tea, daily tea consumption of more than 4g may be associated with a 46% increase in the risk of gastric cancer.

[2] "What are the benefits of drinking tea regularly? May be beneficial for immunity, cognition, heart, blood vessels and cancer risk". Health Press. 2022-05-03

[3] "What? Is drinking tea more likely to get cancer? Yes, but here's the thing...". Health Times. 2019-09-03

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