"Green tea lowers smoker risks?", Boca Raton News, July 2, 2006,
Link:
http://www.bocaratonnews.com/index.php?src=news&prid=16019&category=Local%20News

There is a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease and cancer in Asia
where people smoke heavily, which may be accounted for by high
consumption of tea, particularly green tea, according to a review
article published by a Yale School of Medicine researcher.

"We do not yet have a full explanation for the 'Asian paradox,' which
refers to the very low incidence of both heart disease and cancer in
Asia, even though consumption of cigarettes is greater than in most
other countries," said Bauer Sumpio, M.D., professor and Chief of
Vascular Surgery in the Department of Surgery. "But we now have some
theories."

Sumpio, the lead author of the review in the Journal of the American
College of Surgeons, said he and his colleagues reviewed more than 100
experimental and clinical studies about green tea in writing the
article.

He said one theory is that the average 1.2 liters of green tea consumed
daily by many people in Asia offers the anti-oxidant protective effects
of the polyphenolic EGCG. EGCG may prevent LDL oxidation, which has
been shown to play a key role in the pathophysiology of
arteriosclerosis. EGCG also reduces the amount of platelet aggregation,
regulates lipids, and promotes proliferation and migration of smooth
muscle cells, which are all factors in reducing cardiovascular disease,
he said.

Sumpio said other reports show that EGCG prevents growth of certain
tumors. Tea, according to studies, also can improve gastrointestinal
function, alcohol metabolism, kidney, liver and pancreatic function,
protect skin and eyes and alleviate arthritis. Tea has been used in
managing and preventing allergies, diabetes, bacterial and viral
infections, cavities, reduce or cure diseases with an inflammatory
component and improve neurologic and psychological health.

"More studies are necessary to fully elucidate and better understand
green tea's method of action, particularly at the cellular level,"
Sumpio said. "The evidence is strong that green tea consumption is a
useful dietary habit to lower the risk for, as well as treat, a number
of chronic diseases. Certainly, however, smoking cessation is the best
way to prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer."