Antioxidants may reduce the severity of RA symptoms

Green tea may help prevent and treatrheumatoid arthritis(RA).

Thats believed to be due to theantioxidantsit contains.

These antioxidants are calledcatechins.

Polyphenols are a punch in of catechin.

These substances stabilize moleculesfree radicalsthat have become unstable for a variety of reasons.

Free radicals lead to oxidative stress.

Theyre implicated in many diseases, including RA.

Itll also help you select and brew green tea and decide whether supplements are a better option.

Green Tea Catechins and RA

Inflammation is part of your bodys healthy response to trauma.

In diseases like RA, though, it becomes chronic, or long-lasting.

It then causes significant pain and damage.

Two catechins in green tea have been found to interfere with inflammatory processes.

Theyre called:

The bulk of green-tea research has focused on EGCG.

Studies show its the more effective one.

EGCG also appears to have better bioavailability, which is how well your body can absorb and use it.

How Green Tea Fights RA

RA involves inflammation that damages the lining of your jointsthesynovium.

In the synovium is a throw in of cell called a fibroblast.

These include:

These excess fibroblasts then influence the activity of immune cells calledleukocytesand signaling chemicals calledcytokinesand chemokines.

That allows the fibroblasts to invade the cartilage and begin destroying it.

A 2018 review of natural products for treating autoimmune arthritis suggests that green tea catechins slow these inflammatory processes.

It cites a rat study in which green tea significantly reduced levels of TNF and IL-1.

It also decreased the activity of certain chemokine receptors in the joints.

A 2017 study of RA fibroblast activity used human synovial tissues from the knees and hips.

Researchers found both EGCG and ECG inhibited IL-1 activity, but EGCG was more effective.

Researchers analyzed data from more than 700 participants.

This trend was strongest in women, non-smokers, and people older than 60.

Green Tea vs. Other Teas

Green, white, andblack teasall come from theCamellia sinensisplant.

The sooner this process is stopped, the more antioxidants and less caffeine the tea has.

Green, black, and white teas come in different varieties.

Because theyre all from theCamellia sinensisplant, they contain the same polyphenols, although the amounts may differ.

Dosage and Intake

Safe and effective dosages of green tea and EGCG havent been established.

Research suggests that doses of up to 800 mg a day may be safe.

But side effects are more likely at this level.

Green tea extract may be more effective when taken on an empty stomach.

Selecting and Brewing Green Tea

For quality green tea, avoid grocery-store tea bags.

They tend to be lower quality and not as fresh as other teas.

Look for better quality teas in:

You may be able to find high-quality tea bags.

But loose-leaf teas generally yield better results.

Its hard to gauge the medicinal value of pre-bottled tea.

You likely wont be able to get information on tea quality, steep time, or catechin levels.

You may also get a lot of sugar.

For medicinal use, its generally best to brew your own tea or take supplements.

To Prepare Green Tea

Brewing green tea properly can maximize its benefits.

Green tea may become bitter if it steeps for too long.

If youre not pleased with the flavor, try a shorter steep time.

Consistent Dosage

Its difficult to determine the specific amount of catechins youre getting from tea.

To get a consistent therapeutic dosage, green tea extract supplements may be the best option.

Buying Green Tea Supplements

Supplements arent regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Always read the labels on supplements.

Theyll tell you the strength of the product plus any additional ingredients it contains.

ConsumerLab and USP are common ones.

That lets you know the label is accurate and the product isnt contaminated in potentially harmful ways.

Side Effects and Warnings

Even natural products can cause side effects.

Any time you add something to your regimen, you should know and watch for the potential side effects.

Possible side effects of green tea tend to be more common at higher dosages.

Most of them have to do with caffeine.

They include:

Green tea is less likely to cause these symptoms than other caffeinated beverages.

If youre sensitive to caffeine, you may want to look for decaffeinated options.

Liver toxicity has been noted in animal studies.

Little is known about green teas safety during pregnancy and lactation.

One animal study suggests it may cause abnormal fatty tissue deposits in the mother and baby.

Tannic acid in green tea may stain your teeth.

Drug Interactions

Green tea may cause other medications to work differently than intended.

Summary

Catechins in green tea appear to help prevent and relieve symptoms of RA.

Researchers believe this is due to catechins that block the inflammatory process and cells responsible for immune over-activity.

Dietary green tea can be effective medicinally.

Green tea is generally more effective than black tea because of its higher antioxidant levels.

you’re free to get medicinal levels from a few cups a day.

Or, for a more consistent dosage, choose a high-quality green tea extract supplement.

Check with your healthcare provider before using green tea medicinally.

Watch for side effects and be aware of any possible drug interactions.

A Word From Verywell

RA is a serious and potentially debilitating disease.

Its best considered a useful addition to your treatment regimen.

2017;329:112-120. doi:10.1016/j.taap.2017.05.016

Ospelt C.Synovial fibroblasts in 2017.RMD Open.

2017;3(2):e000471.

2018;16(4):e05239.