Recent study revealed that drinking tea thrice a day at least reduces the chances of developing a tumour dropped by around 37 per cent in women under 50. However it doesn't offer same advantages in women above 50.

Researchers led by Dr Nagi Kumar at the Moffitt Cancer Centre in Tampa, Florida analyzed data collected from 5,000 women aged between 20 and 74 who had been treated for breast cancer. This data was compared with data collected from a similar group of women free of breast cancer.

Data analysis showed that tea reduces the risk of "lobular" breast cancer by 66 per cent.

The researchers said that regular tea consumption, particularly at moderately high levels, might reduce breast cancer risk in younger women.

Research team added: "Given that tea is the most common beverage consumed in the world, it makes an attractive candidate for breast cancer prevention."