Publicized for some years, the weight-loss benefits of green tea have are now part of popular consciousness. In addition, publicity around the anti-carcinogenic properties of this wonder-plant continues.

To start, a couple evidentiary facts: Around the world, death caused by prostate cancer is lowest in Asia, where green tea consumption is highest. Also, after Asian men migrate to the United States and subsequently change their diet (including a drop in green tea consumption), their risk of acquiring prostate cancer goes up.

Amongst men, prostate is the second most common type of cancer. In the U.S. alone, almost a quarter-million cases will see diagnoses this year. A full 80 percent of American men will see a progression of the disease in their bodies on or before their 81st birthday.

A new study from Florida’s H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute discusses the effectiveness of green tea in the prevention of prostate cancer. It analyzed some of the components in green tea, recording their effectiveness and safety on men with pre-malignant lesions.

The study found that the famed medicinal components in green tea, catechins (also found in vegetables, fruits, wine and cocoa), not only prevent the growth of existing cancer cells but actually can hasten their death. The most powerful and abundant catechin in green tea is epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or EGCG.

Researchers at the Moffitt Cancer Center performed their tests with decaffeinated green tea capsules that consisted mostly of EGCG. Men with lesions in their prostates could took 200 milligram doses twice a day. The tests revealed reduced chances of developing further lesions or prostate cancer. Also recorded were lower levels of prostate specific antigen, an indicator of a person’s relative risk to acquire prostate cancer.

The research team from Moffitt Center presented its study at this weekend’s annual meeting in Chicago of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.