Going Green: Green Tea for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Green tea has anti-Inflammatory properties. It may help relieve the symptoms of the disease.
The progressive autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes severe inflammation. It mainly affects your joints, but it can also affect other parts of your body, such as your heart.
Flares are periods of intense inflammation for people with RA.
Treatments can help manage the condition, but there is no current cure. The goal of treatment is to slow the progression of the disease. A doctor will prescribe drugs to help you.
In some cases, you might also benefit from adding natural remedies, such as green tea, to your treatment plan. This article explains how drinking green tea may help a person living with RA.
Green tea has been used for centuries. Green tea is rich in polyphenols, a compound that is found in plants. These plant compounds are powerful. They fight free radicals, which can damage your cells.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, polyphenols have strong anti-inflammatory properties.
Green tea is a good source ofEGCG. This type of polyphenol has potent anti-aging effects.
Green tea has been a topic of interest to medical researchers.
For example, studies have found evidence that the EGCG in green tea may protect bones and cartilage by decreasing the production of certain molecules in your immune system that can trigger inflammation and joint pain.
A
The protective effect only remained statistically significant among smokers after adjusting for variables like body mass index.
A 2016 study with 120 older adults with RA found that those who drank green tea over a 6-month period showed significant symptom improvement and less disease activity, possibly because of the antioxidant properties of green tea.
These findings are promising.
Green tea may have health benefits that are unrelated to the RA.
According to a
Studies also show that drinking green tea might help lower your chances of developing heart disease. It may also help improve the outlook of people who have had a stroke or heart attack.
There is
If you want to enjoy green tea in its natural state, brew it fresh. There may be less healthy compounds in tea.
It’s best to let your tea steep in hot water for at least 3 to 5 minutes. Some studies recommend steeping tea for as long as
Consider limiting added sugar in your tea, too. High sugar diets have been linked to inflammation. A slice of lemon is a tasty alternative.
Green tea supplements are available at many stores. They can be found in either liquid or capsule form.
If you are considering taking green tea supplements, you should talk to a doctor.
If you have certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure, kidney or liver problems, or stomach ulcers, a doctor may advise you to avoid green tea supplements.
If you are taking certain medications, a doctor may encourage you to avoid green tea.
Green tea may interfere with some drugs.
Green tea may also cause a dramatic rise in blood pressure when taken with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
In addition, green tea contains caffeine. Consuming too much caffeine may lead to nervousness and insomnia, as well as gastrointestinal problems, dizziness, or heartburn.
There are answers to some questions about green tea.
How much green tea is safe to drink?
It is considered safe to drink up to 8 cups of tea a day, but be aware of the amount of caffeine you are consuming. When possible, you may want to choose decaffeinated options.
People who are pregnant or breastfeeding may want to limit their green tea to about 6 cups a day. This equals about the recommended limit of
Could green tea make arthritis worse?
There is no evidence that drinking green tea can make the symptoms of RA worse.
As for other types of tea, a
Green tea may be beneficial to the person.
What other teas may help RA?
The following types of tea contain some form of anti-oxidants that may help reduce inflammation.
- herbal teas, such as
cat’s whiskers - Black tea.
- There is tea.
Are there other natural remedies for RA?
Some natural remedies that may help you manage RA symptoms include:
- essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil or ginger oil, to help relieve pain
- A therapy for pain.
- A massage.
- Physical therapy.
Can green tea help with other inflammation types?
- “There is a disease called Crohn’s disease.”
- It is called ulcerative colitis.
- Nonalcoholic fatiguing liver disease is a disease.
- There is a risk of diabetes.
Some studies suggest that green tea may benefit people with RA.
Green tea has been linked to a number of health benefits. It is a smart beverage choice for most people.
If you have RA, you should ask your doctor if green tea is a good choice. They can help you understand the risks and benefits of adding it to your routine.
