Scientists believe green tea could be used to develop drugs to fight cancer Drink is made up of chemicals including EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) Researchers from Singapore think EGCG could have anti-cancer effects It has been combined with anticancer protein Herceptin to target tumours Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology finding could prove crucial

By Jenny Awford for MailOnline

Published: 11:37 EST, 5 October 2014 | Updated: 12:04 EST, 5 October 2014

Scientists believe green tea could be used to develop drugs to fight cancer

It has been shown to lower cholesterol, improve blood flow and protect against heart disease.

And now scientists believe green tea could be used to develop new drugs to fight cancer.

A chemical extracted from the beverage is an ideal carrier of proteins that combat the disease, according to research by the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, Singapore.

Green tea is made up of a class of chemicals called catechins, the most abundant of which is EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate).

It is believed EGCG is responsible for green tea's health benefits and could have anti-cancer effects.

Dr Joo Eun Chung and his colleagues have shown anticancer protein Herceptin can combined with EGCG to form a stable and effective complex to deliver a drug to a tumour site.

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Green tea could helps scientists develop new cancer fighting drugs