So many people in this world have either lost a loved one or have watched them suffer from cancer. Unfortunately, getting rid of a cancerous tumor isn’t easy, nor is it painless. Chemotherapy, radiation treatment, and surgery are all ways to hopefully minimize or remove a tumor. These treatments leave people feeling weak and tired, but what if you were told your favorite tea could kill the cancer stem cells?

Researchers at the University of Salford in the United Kingdom found that “relatively low concentrations of matcha – or powdered green tea – stopped the spread of breast cancer stem cells” (Food Dive). The research was published on August 23, 2018. Food Dive discusses how this research suggests that green tea can be used instead of chemicals to stop the spreading of certain cancerous cells.

You might be wondering how researchers found this information. A researcher named Michael Lisanti said they used metabolic phenotyping – a comprehensive analysis of biological fluids or tissue samples. Lisanti said, “We found that the tea is suppressing oxidative mitochondrial metabolism – in other words it is preventing the cells from ‘re-fueling’ and therefore they become inactive and die” (Food Dive).

Now, if you don’t know what matcha is, it’s a type of green tea that is enjoyed by many people around the world. It has several different health benefits. Food Dive says, “Matcha green tea is a dietary supplement with great potential for a range of treatments.” Researchers are still finding out great things about green tea, including that it prevents atherosclerosis (disease in your arteries), lowers cholesterol, and is helping to prevent cancer cells from spreading.

Though matcha green tea is not the cure for cancer, it is definitely beneficial to one’s health. It is a great drink option to incorporate into your diet and enjoy!