Green tea helps prevent arthritis

Research shows that the catechins in green tea can help prevent and reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Inflammation is part of the body’s normal response to injury. However, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the inflammation becomes chronic or persistent, causing pain.

Researchers believe that antioxidants can reduce the severity of RA symptoms. Green tea is thought to help prevent and treat RA due to the antioxidant catechins contained in it. Catechins that help prevent inflammation in green tea are of two types, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG). EGCG has better antioxidant capacity than vitamins C and E, accounting for about 59% of the total catechins in green tea.

Mechanism of reducing the RA effect of green tea

RA involves inflammation that leads to damage to the lining of the lining, or bursa. Within the synovium is a type of cell called a fibroblast. In people with RA, high synovial fibroblasts are produced, destroying the joints’ cartilage and causing pain and inflammation. The catechins in green tea can slow these inflammatory processes.

Green tea contains catechins that help prevent inflammation and reduce symptoms of RA.

The researchers tested it on mice and found that green tea significantly reduced TNFα and IL-1ß levels and the activity of specific chemokine receptors in the joints. EGCG and ECG inhibit the action of IL-1ß, but EGCG is more effective. Green tea may support normal metabolic functions in arthritis.

Another large-scale study in 2020 verified the benefits of tolerating green and black tea for rheumatoid arthritis patients. Of the 700 study participants, those who drank a lot of tea were less likely to develop RA than those who drank little or not. This effect was more pronounced in women, non-smokers and over 60.

Dosage and Administration

Research shows that doses of green tea from 800 mg/day may be safe, but side effects can sometimes occur. Green tea extract may be more effective when taken on an empty stomach. It is difficult to determine the specific amount of catechin the body gets from tea. Pre-filtered tea bags have fewer catechins than those made directly from fresh tea leaves. When making tea, it is recommended to use boiling water and not steep it too long.

However, side effects can occur with very high doses of green tea. That’s because green tea contains caffeine, and side effects are also mainly from this substance, including anxiety, nervousness, irritability, and trouble sleeping… However, green tea causes fewer of these symptoms than other substances. Other caffeinated beverages.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, talk to your obstetrician before using green tea. Besides, the tannic acid compound in green tea can stain teeth.

Green tea may also affect the action of other medications, such as reducing the effects of medicines used to treat blood pressure and heart disease and thinning the blood due to the vitamin K content in tea. Green tea should not be combined with other stimulants.

Although green tea may help prevent and reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, it should not be used as a substitute for conventional medications. Watch for possible green tea side effects and drug interactions while using it.

Bao Bao,

According to Very Well Health.