Abstract
The inhibitory action of tea (Camellia sinensis) and tea components against cancer formation has been demonstrated in different animal models in many laboratories. The public press heralds tea as a cancer-prevention beverage. The preventive activity of tea against cancer in humans, however, has been suggested by some epidemiological studies, but not by others. A critical question is whether the information obtained from animal studies is applicable to humans. The quantities of tea used in animal studies and those consumed by humans are different. The mechanisms of carcinogenesis in animal models may differ from those in humans in many aspects. This presentation will review these issues in the light of the results from studies with animals, cell lines, and humans as well as discuss the possible cancer inhibitory mechanisms that may apply to human cancer prevention.
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Yang, C.S., Yang, Gy., Chung, J.Y., Lee, MJ., Li, C. (2001). Tea and Tea Polyphenols in Cancer Prevention. In: Nutrition and Cancer Prevention. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 492. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-1283-7_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-1283-7_5
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