Green tea polyphenols (GTP) have been found to be anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic in animals. In three studies mice given GTP had 33 to 50 percent less arthritis than the control animals that did not receive GTP. Inflammatory index tests in the GTP fed animals were lower than in the controls, showing the benefit of GTP.
Collagen induced arthritis is a model of rheumatoid arthritis in mice. Of the mice that did not receive GTP, 99% developed joint inflammation in about a month. Only 44% of the GTP treated group developed joint inflammation and it was milder.
The polypenols are numerous and include epicatechin, etc. Black teas contain the same polyphenols in smaller amounts.
CONCLUSION: Green tea is rich in antioxidants and may be useful in the prevention of the onset and reduction in the severity of arthritis attacks. The polyphenols in green tea may also be used to treat other autoimmune diseases.
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PMID: 10200295.
Summary #052.