Sip your way to stronger prostate health

Proper nutrition is one of the single most powerful weapons you have against prostate cancer. But with all the focus on what to eat, it’s easy to forget that what you drink can play a pivotal role on the road to wellness, too.

 
Sure, avoiding sugary sodas and excessive alcohol is one essential step in cancer prevention. But water isn’t the only option left on the table. And there’s at least one other beverage that you should consider adding to your daily routine…

 
Fight prostate cancer with a cup of tea

 
Green tea is packed with antioxidant phytochemicals that help to modulate inflammatory processes and combat oxidative stress—both of which play a key role in the development of prostate cancer.

 

These antioxidants—polyphenols (catechins) and flavonols—account for the bulk of the research connecting green tea and its components with overall health. And epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the most powerful of these catechins.

 

As antioxidants, catechins and epicatechins block the activity of free radicals that are produced by natural oxidative reactions in the body. If left unblocked, these free radicals have the potential to damage cells through excessive oxidative stress. 

 

So it’s no surprise that green tea and its compounds have emerged as natural cancer-fighting superstars. The link between green tea and prostate cancer has been researched comprehensively. And the findings seem to point to one powerful benefit in particular: Green tea slows the growth of prostate cancer cells and prompts them in essence to commit suicide (a process called apoptosis).

 

Green tea also encourages the repair of damaged DNA that might otherwise promote cancer growth. And that’s not all—research suggests that it may help to boost insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, as well. And in addition to the obvious benefits for blood sugar and weight management, this also helps to keep prostate cancer at bay, creating a less favorable environment for cancer cells to thrive.

 

Serve it hot, iced, or in supplement form

 

Bear in mind that green tea does contain caffeine—so especially if you’re sensitive, you’ll want to avoid sipping too much before bed. (Ginger or chamomile are great herbal alternatives if you like a cup of tea to wind down in the evening.)  

 

You also don’t want to cancel out all of the cancer-fighting benefits by loading your tea up with sugar. A very small amount of organic honey won’t hurt, but unsweetened is the best way to go.

 

If a piping hot mug of tea doesn’t sound appealing while the weather is still sweltering, consider serving your green tea on ice instead. Sip it plain or mix it with a small amount of low-sugar fresh-squeezed lemonade to make a prostate-healthy Arnold Palmer that will cool you off through the last of the summer heat.

 

And if that’s not your cup of tea? No problem—green tea extract is also available in supplement form, so you can still get all the best benefits without ever heating up the kettle.

 

Until next time,

 

The XY Wellness Team