Li-Ping Xie of The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China and colleagues conducted the study and found men and women in the highest intake of green tea were 19 percent less likely to be diagnosed with bladder cancer, compared with those in the lowest intake.
Previous studies found the association, but not all studies were consistent. The current study was to meta-analyze data from 17 case-control and cohort studies on tea/green tea consumption and risk of bladder cancer.
The meta-analysis showed that those who had highest intake of tea were at 18 percent reduced risk of bladder cancer, compared with those in the lowest intake.
Those who drank the highest amount of green tea were at 19 percent reduced risk of bladder cancer, compared with those who drank the lowest amount.
The researchers concluded "Our analysis indicated that green tea may have a protective effect on bladder cancer in Asian people. Further studies need to be conducted to better clarify the biological mechanisms."
Rugters University cancer researchers have found green tea component EGCG may prevent cancer by promoting apoptosis - programmed cell death.
