A new study conducted by scientists at the University of Glasgow has found that there is a link between tea consumption and the development of prostate cancer.
The study, which ran for 37 years, showed that men who are ‘heavy’ tea consumers were 50% more likely than other to develop prostate cancer.
Of those heavy consumers, a quarter drank more than seven cups a day.
Coffee and alcohol consumption and smoking habits were also surveyed among the 6,000+ participants.
While the study did show a correlation between tea consumption and the incidence of prostate cancer, it is unclear whether it is a factor in the causation of prostate cancer. The answer behind this higher incidence could be that those who were heavy tea drinkers were generally healthier than those who were not; less likely to be overweight, or have high cholesterol.
Experts suggest that this better overall health meant those men lived for longer, reaching an older age when prostate cancer is more likely to develop.
It has been found in earlier studies that green tea may have preventative qualities.
