Many times opinions are heard that can be taken as contradictory about a drink with as many properties as tea. Some argue that because of its fluorine content it can be considered carcinogenic. But many voices also claim that their antioxidants would be a great enemy of several types of cancer.

The tea from the Camelia sinensis, with all its varieties, is a millenary product. It is being consumed by generations and generations of people throughout the world.

The Asian continent being its “central operations base”. But, as always when you talk about a product and you start to know more about it, some controversies begin to arise. Do you agree?

One that is very common to hear within these dilemmas that are discussed around tea, is whether this beverage is carcinogenic or anticancer.

All the indications make us believe that, at the moment, this last option seems the most probable. But it is worth observing both positions with their respective foundations.

Those who argue that tea has anticancer properties are based primarily on the high polyphenol content it has.

Polyphenols are a strongly antioxidant substance and can help prevent such diseases. There are several studies that have been done about it, without being conclusive, but with many positive views about it.

Green tea would be one of those indicated.

Chinese green tea

This is a list of cancer diseases for which tea could provide preventive functions:

Lung cancer

Liver cancer

Prostate cancer

Ovarian cancer

Pancreatic cancer

Colon cancer

Oral cancer

Breast cancer

Kidney cancer

Skin cancer

But, one thing does not take away from the other. Although tea in any of its varieties contains antioxidant substances that can be preventive, it is also true that tea contains fluoride.

This is a carcinogenic substance consumed in excess and can become harmful, but only in large quantities.

Although there is no recommended daily dose of tea unified by criterion, all studies that speak in favor of the properties of tea against cancer indicate that its benefits would be obtained from three or four cups.

Does tea cause cancer or prevent it?

This would account for about one third of the amount of fluoride that could be consumed per day. So, if you do not abuse yourself, there would be no problems, although nothing has yet been conclusively proven on one side or the other.

Anyway, taking stock on the subject, you could say that drinking tea has much more benefits than side effects.

Of course, among the consumers of this healthy drink there will be those who drink it especially for its flavor, others who do it for their properties and finally, those who drink it for both.