Green Tea and Coffee lower the risk of diabetes

In this study Japanese researchers investigated whether Green, Black, or Oolong Teas or Coffee decrease the risk of developing diabetes. A total of 17,413 people were followed for 5 years. The participants ranged in age from 40 to 65 at the start of the study and were free of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Drinking 6 or more cups of Green Tea per day decreased the risk of developing diabetes by 33%. Drinking 3 or more cups of Coffee per day decreased the risk by 42% compared to non-drinkers. Black Tea and Oolong Tea had no protective effect against developing diabetes. The study appears in the April 18th, 2006 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.

Commentary by Jerry Hickey, R.Ph.

The researchers mistakenly give credit to the caffeine content of the Green Tea and Coffee for the protective effect. Obviously this is incorrect or the Oolong and Black Tea would have been as protective as the Green Tea - but they weren't. It had to be the polyphenols.

Green Tea and Soy Supplements offer partial protection from smoking

Smoking causes damage to DNA and increases the risk of developing bladder cancer. Adducts or the addition of carcinogens to the DNA of exfoliated bladder cells are found in the urine of smokers. Ninety heavy smokers were split into 3 groups. The first was placed on a diet rich in cruciferous vegetables. The second groups diet included adequate servings of fruits and vegetables. The third groups diet included supplements of Green Tea and Soy. One year after supplementation of Green Tea and Soy ceased there was still a decrease in DNA adducts in the bladder cells of smokers. The adducts in white blood cells were decreased for up to a month after discontinuing the supplements. The study was performed at the University of Cincinnati and is published in the April 19th, 2006 issue of the journal Mutagenesis.

although these supplements offered some protection, nothing overcomes the cancer causing effects of smoking completely.