The Asian paradox is a reference to the fact that although more people smoke more cigarettes in Asia, they are diagnosed with cancer in far fewer numbers than would be expected. Researchers keep going back to green tea as the possible preventative to cancer, as the incidence of cancers is much lower in Asia compared to other countries. Yale School of Medicine researchers reviewed 100 experimental and clinical studies and found that drinking green tea might indeed be the reason in the lower incidence of cancer.
According to the researchers, the average 2.5 pints of green tea consumed daily by many people in Asia offers the antioxidant protective effects of the polyphenolic EGCG, which has been shown to play a key role in the prevention of tumor growth.
I think too, there is a synergy to the diet as a whole that researchers might not have discovered that plays a role in offering cancer prevention. In my personal opinion, I don't think it will be one food or liquid that will be the reason. The Asian diet pyramid is second in health only to the Mediterranean diet pyramid.
