Green tea can make antibiotics up to three times more effective in fighting antibiotic superbugs, according to research presented at the Society for General Microbiology’s 162nd meeting in Edinburgh, eurekalert.org reports.

Dr Mervat Kassem, the study’s author from the Faculty of Pharmacy at Alexandria University in Egypt, said that green tea enhanced the bacteria-killing activity of antibiotics against 28 different disease-triggering microorganisms.

Recent preliminary research suggests that green-tea extract may help prevent certain cancers, such as colon cancer.

More research may be required to confirm these findings, but in the meantime it can’t hurt to enjoying a steaming cup of green tea on a regular basis. Because many green teas contain caffeine, however, pregnant women, nursing mothers and people with cardiac problems should limit their intake to 2 cups daily, advises the BC Cancer Agency.

Always check with your doctor before taking any supplement or fortified food, of course!