Based on PubMed | Does drinking green tea reduce the risk of gallbladder cancer?

Green tea and gallbladder cancer: what we know and don’t know

• There is currently no direct human evidence that drinking green tea reduces the risk of gallbladder cancer. ^{[1] [2]}
• Research on green tea and cancer risk in general shows mixed and cancer‑site–specific results, with some possible benefits for certain cancers, but overall evidence remains inconsistent. ^{[3] [4] [5]}
• Established gallbladder cancer risks are driven by gallstones, chronic gallbladder inflammation, certain anatomical and infectious conditions, age, sex, and obesity, rather than any known protective effect from tea. ^{[1] [2]}

What the evidence says

No direct data for gallbladder cancer

To date, authoritative clinical resources identify risk factors for gallbladder cancer such as gallstones, porcelain gallbladder, older age, female sex, obesity, and family history; green tea is not listed as a protective factor, and no causal protective relationship has been established. ^{[1] [6]}

Green tea and overall cancer risk: mixed findings

Evidence on green tea and cancer prevention across different organs is inconclusive. Some observational and interventional studies suggest potential protective effects for certain sites (for example, oral premalignant lesions and for people at high risk of liver or colorectal cancer), while other cancer sites show no benefit or conflicting results. ^{[4] [3]} Comprehensive reviews note that while laboratory studies on green tea polyphenols (like EGCG) show anticancer actions, human epidemiology does not consistently confirm cancer-preventive effects, and recommendations for cancer prevention based solely on green tea cannot be made. ^{[5] [7]}

Mechanistic plausibility, but not proof

Green tea’s main polyphenol EGCG has laboratory evidence for anti‑inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti‑proliferative actions, which are biologically plausible mechanisms for cancer prevention. However, mechanistic plausibility does not equal clinical proof, and these findings have not been translated into reduced gallbladder cancer incidence in human studies. ^{[8] [9]}

How green tea fits into a bigger picture

Safe in moderation, but not a proven prevention tool

Reputable clinical summaries indicate that green tea may have cardiovascular and metabolic benefits and is generally safe for most people in moderate amounts, but there is no clear evidence that it prevents cancer overall, and it is not recognized as a proven strategy for gallbladder cancer prevention. ^{[3] [10]}

Focus on established risk reduction for gallbladder disease

Since most gallbladder cancers arise in the setting of chronic gallbladder inflammation often related to gallstones addressing modifiable factors that contribute to gallstone disease is more evidence‑aligned than relying on green tea. Known risk factors include gallstones, chronic cholecystitis, certain infections, and obesity, and clinical management of gallstones or high‑risk gallbladder conditions can reduce complications. ^{[1] [2]}

Practical guidance

• Enjoy green tea if you like it: moderate consumption is reasonable for general health, but it should not be considered a proven method to prevent gallbladder cancer. ^{[10] [3]}
• Prioritize risk awareness and medical care for gallbladder conditions: discuss persistent right‑upper‑abdomen pain, known gallstones, or a history of gallbladder polyps with your clinician, since management of gallbladder disease is central to risk. ^{[1] [6]}
• Maintain healthy weight and diet: obesity and high‑refined‑carbohydrate/low‑fiber dietary patterns are associated with higher gallbladder cancer risk; weight control and balanced, fiber‑rich eating are sensible steps. ^[2]

Bottom line

Based on current human data, drinking green tea has not been shown to reduce gallbladder cancer risk, and it is not part of established prevention recommendations for this cancer. ^{[1] [2]} While green tea has biologically plausible anticancer mechanisms and mixed evidence of benefit for some other cancer sites, evidence is insufficient and inconsistent to claim protection for gallbladder cancer. ^{[5] [4]}