Drinking tea can lower prostate cancer risk

Drinking two cups of tea a day can lower a man's risk of prostate cancer by a third, new research suggests.

Studies carried out at the Maastricht University in the Netherlands found that regular drinkers of tea were 37 per cent less likely to be diagnosed with the disease.

Tests were also conducted using coffee but no positive results were found.

The researchers compared the dietary habits of 892 men diagnosed with prostate cancer to same number who were in good health.

No reason for the reduced risk of cancer was uncovered, but previous research has suggested that tea contains chemicals called polyphenol which protect tissues and help fight cancerous cells.

"This is further evidence that tea consumption may be a modifiable exposure that reduces the risk of prostate cancer," the researchers said.

Each year, almost 40,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK. It causes over 10,000 deaths.

Find the nearest Barchester nursing home