Tea: Health Effects

Tea is a popular beverage in many parts of the world, and its potential beneficial effects have been extensively investigated. Tea and its components are selectively toxic to many cancer cell lines in vitro. They are also effective in inhibiting the growth of certain cancer xenografts and in preventing chemically-induced cancer in animals. However, clinical trials have shown little or no effect in cancer patients, and epidemiological studies on tea consumption have given equivocal results. High doses of tea constituents, used as dietary supplements, have been shown to be toxic in some individuals.