The regular consumption of green and black tea has long been known to hold some health giving properties, however until recently, the effect of tea on long term health issues have been little researched. Menopause is one time when women's hormones can cause a host of problems, from hot flashes to sleep deprivation. While some women turn to replacement hormones to combat this problem others do not thanks to the health risks which have been highlighted by research into this type of treatment. If tea could be used as a cancer preventative this news could be invaluable to millions of women taking replacement hormones.
A study conducted in Sweden consisted of a population based mammography study from 1987 to 1990. Overall, 61 057 women aged 40 to 76 years old took part and each was assessed through a 67 part food frequency questionnaire. The age of the participants ensured that all the women involved had been through menopause or were going through menopause at the time. Once the questionnaire was completed each of the women was followed for cases of ovarian cancer until the study finished in 2004.
Most of the women involved were followed for an average of 15.1 years after the initial questionnaire and 301 cases of ovarian cancer were identified during this period. In relation to tea consumption, researchers found that those women who never or seldom consumed either green or black tea were at a higher risk of contracting ovarian cancer than those women who consumed one cup, two cups or more than two cups a day. Every cup of tea per day surmounted to an 18% reduced risk of contracting the cancer according to this study.
As this research demonstrates green and black tea can help women in the prevention of ovarian cancer. As women find themselves particularly at risk post menopause, the regular consumption of tea during this time may help to decrease the likelihood of this type of hormone cancer. Ovarian cancer can particularly be a risk when a woman is using replacement hormones popular as a treatment for menopausal side effects. For more information about the benefits of tea in relation to cancer and replacement hormones women should seek advice from their doctor.
