A study, conducted by researchers at the University of Washington, has revealed that consumption of black or green tea daily reduces the risk of ovarian cancer. Green tea is a well known source rich in anti-oxidants.

The leaf has benefited various civilizations for over five millenniums.

The researchers at the University of Washington closely monitored the lifestyle of 2,000 women from various professions. What they noticed was this - a 54 percent reduced risk in women,

who drank one or more cups of green tea daily. EGCG, which can be found in both, green and black tea, binds itself to the highly unstable protein form, which points to the fact that it may offer cancer protection in delicate organs like the ovary.

A researcher, who took part in the study, says, "EGCG targets HSP90, binds directly to it, and keeps it from passing on signals that can start the cancer process".

"As a result, potentially harmful genes are less likely to get turned on, and the cascade of events leading to cancer is cut off before it begins".

Another similar study, carried out by the National Institute of Environmental Medicine in Stockholm, revealed results similar to the ones of the University of Washington.

They found out that those women, who consume at least two cups of black tea, reduce their risks of developing ovarian cancer by almost 50 percent, as compared to the ones who don't.