New data from a clinical trial supports the idea that an extract of green tea could reduce several measures of prostate cancer by up to 30 percent.

Scientists at the Feist-Weller Cancer Center found that in men with advanced prostate cancer that would require portions of the organ to be removed, a dose of four capsules of the supplement reduced several markers related to the progression without negatively impacting the liver.

"These studies are just the beginning and a lot of work remains to be done, however, we think that the use of tea polyphenols alone or in combination with other compounds currently used for cancer therapy should be explored as an approach to prevent cancer progression and recurrence," said lead researcher James A. Cardelli.

According to the National Cancer Institute, more than 192,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and about 16 percent of men will face a similar diagnosis in their lifetime.

Dr William G. Nelson, an editor of Cancer Prevention Research, says that the effects could also be from better nutrition and vitamin usage, but calls the results "provocative."