Why You May Want To Avoid Green Tea When Going Through Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a treatment for cancer that uses drugs to kill cancer cells (via Mayo Clinic). Chemotherapy is very taxing on the body, and what you eat and drink is important to help you get the most from the treatment. Green tea is known to have many health benefits, but it should be avoided by some people as they go through chemotherapy. According to Mount Sinai, both green and black tea extracts can cause cells to be less sensitive to certain chemotherapy treatments.
However, a study published in Nutrients found that green tea can reduce the negative symptoms of chemotherapy and even improve the effectiveness of some chemotherapy treatments. Because these results vary so greatly, it is important to speak with your doctor before drinking green tea if you are going through chemotherapy. They will be able to advise you on whether or not green tea is right for you, and how much you should drink.
What to know about chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a well-known cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells in the body. Chemotherapy can be given intravenously (through an IV), orally (by mouth), or with an injection. Chemotherapy is often used in combination with other cancer treatments, such as surgery and radiation therapy (via Cleveland Clinic). The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the type and dose of drugs given, as well as the person's overall health and age. Common side effects of chemotherapy include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, hair loss, and increased risk of infection. Some of these side effects can be severe, but they are usually temporary and go away after treatment ends.
People with cancer may have a higher risk of infection because chemotherapy can weaken the immune system. It is important for people receiving chemotherapy to avoid close contact with people who are sick, and to practice good hygiene (such as washing hands often). Chemotherapy is an important treatment for cancer, but it is not without its risks. It is important to talk with your doctor about the potential side effects of chemotherapy before starting treatment.