Mate tea kills colon cancer cells and blocks inflammation
Yerba mate tea – a popular drink in South America – may prevent colon cancer, say researchers. Caffeine from the tea killed human colon cancer cells in a laboratory, and reduced inflammation, which helps cancer develop.
University of Illinois researchers saw colon cancer cells self-destruct as they came into contact with CQA (caffeoylquinic acid) derivatives from the tea.
Cell death, or apoptosis, suggests that CQA from mate tea could be effective against many other cancers, too. It not only killed cancer cells, it also prevented healthy cells from becoming cancerous.
Its other quality as a natural anti-inflammatory suggests it could also help reverse diseases such as heart problems and arthritis.
(Source: Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 2011; 55: 1509-22).