Does Brewing Tea Longer Prevent Cancer or Dementia?
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In this article
There is no established five-minute tea-brewing rule that prevents cancer or dementia. The earlier version of this article overstated what research could show.
This is general information, not advice to treat or prevent a disease with tea.
What the Evidence Supports
The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says human studies of green tea and cancer have produced inconsistent findings. Current evidence does not establish that green tea prevents cancer.
That uncertainty cannot be turned into a claim that brewing any tea for a particular time prevents disease. A change in a drink’s chemical content is not, by itself, proof of a health outcome in people.
What about Dementia?
Dementia prevention guidance focuses on factors such as physical activity, smoking, harmful alcohol use and cardiovascular health. It does not establish a particular tea-brewing duration as a way to prevent dementia.
A Practical Approach
- Brew tea according to your taste and the product’s preparation guidance.
- Treat it as a drink rather than a substitute for medical care.
- Discuss any concentrated tea extract or supplement with a clinician if you have a health condition or take medicines.
Warning: Do not delay cancer assessment, treatment or investigation of memory problems because of a tea or supplement claim. Concentrated extracts are different from ordinary brewed tea and can have risks.
