Arthritis News, Articles, & Information

Polyphenols found in green tea may both prevent arthritis and reduce the severity of symptoms according to a study published in the April 1999 edition of the Journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Researchers compared mice who were fed water containing 0.2% green tea polyphenols with mice who received pure water for the presence and severity of arthritis after the mice were injected with collagen in order to induce arthritis.

In three independent studies, the mice in the group fed the green tea extract were less likely to develop arthritis, developing arthritis later in life, and experienced less severe arthritis. In the first study 33% of mice developed arthritis in the green tea group compared to 100% in the pure water group. The average time to the onset of arthritis symptoms was 38 days for the green tea group and 32 days for the control group.

Results were similar in the other two studies with 50% of the mice developing arthritis in the green tea groups in the second and third studies and 100% and 83% of the mice in the control groups developing arthritis. The mean time to onset of arthritis in the green tea group was 36 and 45 days for studies two and three respectively compared to 32 days in both of the control groups.

Across the three studies combined, 44% of the mice fed the green tea extract developed arthritis while 94% of the mice who received water only developed arthritis.

The severity of arthritis as measured by the arthritis index was also greater in the control groups than the green tea groups. Arthritis index scores were 1.00, 1.16 and 1.33 for the green tea groups and 4.16, 4.66 and 4.00 in the control groups.

Lead researcher Tariq M. Haqqi, who is the associate professor of medicine at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland added that “Extensive laboratory research and the epidemiologic findings of the last 15 years have revealed that polyphenolic compounds present in green tea may prevent the onset and subsequent progression of a variety of illnesses. Perhaps now arthritis can be added to the list. ”

Tea is the most popular beverage in the world after water however the majority consumed is black tea which is not as rich in antioxidants and phenolic compounds as green tea. Green tea is very popular in Asian countries but is only recently gained popularity in the western world.

It is believed that green tea may help prevent cardiovascular disease and some studies have shown consumption of green tea may reduce the incidence of some cancers such as prostate cancer. Polyphenol compounds known as epicatechins are thought to be responsible for the beneficial effects of green tea.

Those who have early stage rheumatoid arthritis, or who believe they may be at risk of the disease should consider switching from drinking coffee to tea as some studies have linked regular coffee consumption with an increased risk of arthritis.