text=TEA AND HEALTH An observational study in Japan found that the regular consumption of green tea (more than three cups per day) migh work against recurrence of breast cancer in the early stages. Further work is still required in understanding the protective antioxidant action of black teas and green teas. In one in vitro study, black tea was found to be more efficient than green tea as a "Chemo-preventor" against certain free radicals. However, in another study, both green tea and black tea were equally able to protect against Nitric Oxide toxicity. In addition to its potential anti-carcinogenic and antioxidant effects, other studies have shown green tea to have anti-inflamatory, anti-thrombotic, cholesterol lowering, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. Recently, studies have revealed that white teas may have up to five times the anti-oxidant power of green teas. The same has been reported about Rooibos (red bush) herbal teas from Africa, offering strong anti-oxidant content and a high concentration of Vitamin C without the caffeine. GREEN TEA EXTRACT AND WEIGHT LOSS: Preliminary research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that an extract from green tea may help with weight losss by speeding up fat oxidation. In this study, researchers conducted a 6 week study of 10 healthy men in hteir 20's and found that those men who were given a green tea extract used more calories in a day than those who did not. WHICH TO DRINK? The benefits gained from drinking both black and green teas are comparable, both reflecting that they promote health and well-being. The decision about which to drink is simply a matter of taste. In addition, it is inconclusive whether black tea has more or less caffeine than green tea, while both do have less caffeine than coffee.