According to a report in the Taranaki Daily News of New Zealand: A new study suggests that drinking a cup of tea every night can reduce the risk of skin cancer.
A total of 2,200 adults from New Hampshire, USA, participated in the study, including 770 with basal cell carcinoma, 696 with squamous cell carcinoma, and 715 without cancer.
The study found that people who like to drink tea have a lower chance of developing squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. Men and women who drink tea frequently or one to two cups a day have a 20-30% lower risk of cancer than those who do not drink tea. For those who have a long-term habit of drinking tea, or who drink at least two cups a day, their chances of getting skin cancer are even smaller.
The researchers stated that the antioxidants in tea can prevent skin damage from ultraviolet radiation. In particular, the EGCG component in tea polyphenols can effectively prevent the burning of exposed skin by ultraviolet rays.
Nevertheless, the study does not indicate that drinking tea alone allows one to "sunbathe" in the sun. For people with a history of sunburn, the researchers have not yet found evidence that drinking tea reduces their risk of skin cancer. The study also found no relationship between drinking tea and the rare fatal malignant melanoma.
The researchers said that drinking tea can reduce the risk of skin cancer because the antioxidants in tea can prevent skin damage caused by sun exposure. However, we should comprehensively consider the impact of factors such as age, skin type, and history of sunburn on skin cancer. The antioxidants in tea do not work on serious skin injuries such as DNA damage to skin cells caused by cancer.