Charlyn Fargo, Contributor
IF YOU'RE confused about whether green tea does a body good, you're not alone. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that green tea is a healthful beverage, but that it's "highly unlikely" that it prevents breast and prostate cancers.
The FDA carried out a systematic review of available scientific evidence. Despite some promising animal and test-tube research, the FDA concluded that studies on human beings do not support the anti-cancer claims that tea manufacturers wanted to print on packages.
The FDA also concluded that existing evidence does not support qualified health claims for green tea consumption, and a reduced risk of any other cancers.
The bottom line: More research is needed before such claims can be made. On the other hand, green tea remains a good beverage choice. It just might not be a magic bullet for cancer.
For more information on the studies, go to www.fda.gov and search for green tea.
