Green Tea May Block Inflammation
Green tea has a pale color and delicate taste but new studies show it apparently has a robust ability to tamp down inflammation associated with two autoimmune disorders – rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Sjögren’s syndrome.
In one study, researchers took synovial cells from people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and divided them into two groups, treating one group with a green tea component thought to have anti-inflammatory properties. When they later exposed both sets of cells to an inflammatory chemical that plays a role in the joint damage of RA, they found the green tea-treated cells were able to thwart the chemical’s ability to cause joint damage.
In a second study, researchers compared the salivary glands of those who drank water with those who consumed a green tea extract. Glands from the green-tea-extract group had significantly fewer white blood cells and lower levels of autoantibodies – indicating relatively mild immune system activity – than the glands of those who drank water. Over time, the green-tea group also showed significantly less salivary gland damage.
Researchers say studies like these are starting to show mild-mannered green tea one day might be a source of treatment. Interesting note: The inflammatory chemicals that the green tea component has been shown to block are some of the same chemicals blocked by cutting-edge biologic drugs taken for some several autoimmune diseases.
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