Green tea has been found to contain the strongest of all known antioxidants, in research by Lester A. Mitscher, Ph.D., at the University of Kansas, where he is University Distinguished Professor, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, and former chairman of that department. Dr. Mitscher found in some studies that the antioxidant EGCG, a substance in green tea, neutralized free radicals over 100 times more effectively than vitamin C, and 25 times better than vitamin E. Free radicals are believed to cause cell damage that triggers certain diseases, especially cancer. When Dr. Mitscher tested green, black, and oolong teas for antioxidants, he observed that green teas had by far the highest amounts of active EGCG, and he believes that is because it is harvested at the right time and immediately steamed. Dr. Mitscher holds B.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Wayne University, Detroit. In addition to Dr. Mitscher's work in academia, he has held research and consulting positions with major pharmaceutical firms. He has published extensively on drug chemistry, antibiotic synthesis and non-tradition medicine. He has written numerous scientific papers and recently co-authored The Green Tea Book - China's Fountain of Youth.