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Top questions

Green tea and its extracts may provide substantial benefit for body terrain factors, especially body weight, high blood sugar and insulin resistance, inflammation, oxidative stress, each of which is linked to cancer development and growth.

Affordability and access

Prescription required?

  • No, but we recommend you consult your oncology team before using this therapy

Other names

You may find green tea or EGCG under these alternate names: 

  • Chinese tea
  • Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
  • Green tea catechins
  • Green tea extract
  • Green tea polyphenols
  • Matcha tea

Where to access

  • Grocery stores
  • Drug stores
  • Supplement stores
  • Online supplement distributors

Affordability 

  • Low to moderate cost (below $2000 US/year) depending on dose and/or frequency of use

Keep reading about green tea or EGCG

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See all our reviews of complementary therapies

Author

Nancy Hepp, MS

Lead Researcher
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Ms. Hepp is a researcher and communicator who has been writing and editing educational content on varied health topics for more than 20 years. She serves as lead researcher and writer for CancerChoices and also served as the first program manager. Her graduate work in research and cognitive psychology, her master’s degree in instructional design, and her certificate in web design have all guided her in writing and presenting information for a wide variety of audiences and uses. Nancy’s service as faculty development coordinator in the Department of Family Medicine at Wright State University also provided experience in medical research, plus insights into medical education and medical care from the professional’s perspective.

Nancy Hepp, MS Lead Researcher

Reviewer

Andrew Jackson, ND

Research Associate
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Andrew Jackson, ND, serves as a CancerChoices research associate. As a naturopathic physician practicing in Kirkland, Washington, he teaches critical evaluation of the medical literture at Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington. His great appreciation of scientific inquiry and the scientific process has led him to view research with a critical eye.

Andrew Jackson, ND Research Associate

Last update: May 9, 2024

Last full literature review: January 2024

CancerChoices provides information about integrative in cancer care, a patient-centered approach combining the best of conventional care, self care and evidence-informed complementary care in an integrated plan cancer care. We review complementaryin cancer care, complementary care involves the use of therapies intended to enhance or add to standard conventional treatments; examples include supplements, mind-body approaches such as yoga or psychosocial therapy, and acupuncture therapies and self-care lifestyle actions and behaviors that may impact cancer outcomes; examples include eating health-promoting foods, limiting alcohol, increasing physical activity, and managing stress practices to help patients and professionals explore and integrate the best combination of conventionalthe cancer care offered by conventionally trained physicians and most hospitals; examples are chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy and complementary therapies and practices for each person.

Our staff have no financial conflicts of interest to declare. We receive no funds from any manufacturers or retailers gaining financial profit by promoting or discouraging therapies mentioned on this site.

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