"Think green," Tallmadge says. Green tea is also full of antioxidants that scientists say can ward off some cancers. In a recent Japanese study that looked at nearly 500 Japanese women with stage I and II breast cancer, researchers found the women who drank more green tea before and after surgery had a lower chance of the cancer recurring. Other studies from China showed that the more green tea patients drank, the lower their risk of developing stomach, esophageal, prostate, pancreatic and colorectal cancer, compared with those who did not drink green tea.
Recent studies have shown green tea can even help you stay thin. "They've found people who drink green tea every day are leaner," Tallmadge says. "Green tea helps lower belly fat."
Scientists say that's because it revs up your metabolism. In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, green tea extract increased energy expenditure, which is a measure of metabolism, plus it had a significant effect on fat oxidation, or how much fat your body burns.
But here's the catch: One cup won't do the trick. "You have to drink a lot of it ... at least three, up to six cups a day, to get the effect," Tallmadge says. "And that means you use bags or loose tea every time you make a cup." In other words, to get the full benefit, you have to brew it, not buy it in a bottle.
Another catch? Most of the green tea research has been done on animals. "Although laboratory data has shown great benefits in green tea, a lot of statistics on humans still aren't there yet," Shields says. "The green tea industry has asked the FDA for permission to let them put these claims on their boxes; as of now, the FDA says there's not enough human data to justify the labeling."
Back to that list of resolutions. When it comes to eating better, Tallmadge and Shields say moderation and balance are important. No one food is going to keep you cancer-free or make your heart healthy. "It's unrealistic to think that eating only soy or grains all the time is going to make you a healthier person," Shields says. "You need to look at the whole picture, and have good, healthy behaviors: Eat well, drink in moderation and stay active. All of these lead to a healthier life."
Tallmadge agrees. "Putting these foods into your diet are excellent substitutes for other foods that may not be healthy," she says. "If you are trying to cut down on sugar, and are looking for a drink alternative, why not green tea? Or a better snack at night can be rye crackers instead of chips. It's all a matter of balance and good nutrition."
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