The benefits of green tea for arthritis symptoms

If you have arthritis, try having a spot of green tea. According to recent research, green tea may be beneficial in dealing with arthritis symptoms, so that warm cuppa might be able to ease your discomfort.

Tea is rich in flavonoids, a class of phytochemicals known for its antioxidant abilities. Some studies have shown that regular tea drinkers are up to 50 percent less likely to develop certain types of cancer than non-tea drinkers, while other studies have found that regular tea drinkers have a lower risk of stroke and heart disease. Some evidence also suggests that diets rich in antioxidants can help keep osteoarthritis from worsening.

Both black and green teas are good sources of flavonoids. But research now suggests that there is reason to believe that green tea may be particularly useful against rheumatoid arthritis thanks to a different class of phytochemicals known as polyphenols, which are abundant in green tea.

If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, try drinking three or four cups of green tea daily without milk to see if it reduces inflammation.

• Letting green tea steep more than five minutes can cause the beneficial substances to lose their potency.
• Use 5 millilitres (1 teaspoon) of green tea leaves per 250 millilitres (1 cup) of very hot (not boiling) water.

Note: Green tea contains caffeine, so you may want to cut back on other sources of caffeine, such as coffee.

When it comes to your health, it is always best to play it safe. If you have any concerns about including green tea in your diet, start by talking to your doctor.