Green Tea May Defend Against DNA Damage

The antioxidants in green tea have long been believed to help reduce cancer risk.  Now scientists at the Chinese University of Hong Kong may have discovered why:  Drinking green tea appears to reduce the DNA damage that can cause a cell to become cancerous.

Eighteen healthy volunteers drank either two cups of 1% green tea or water every day for four weeks;  after a six-week washout period, they switched substances.  Body fluid analysis showed a 20% drop in DNA damage, according to results published in the British Journal of Nutrition.