Green tea may herald new treatment for arthritis
A new study found that one of the key ingredients of green tea may be an effective cure against rheumatoid arthritis. US researchers claim that epigallocatechin-3-gallate, a compound abundant in green tea, could be used to treat illnesses associated with rheumatoid arthritis, such as joint pain, inflammation and tissue damage. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, epigallocatechin-3-gallate or EGCG was found to significantly reduce ankle swelling in rats. EGCG was shown to block the signals of a key protein, called TAK1, through which signals to cause inflammation and tissue damage are submitted. This could represent a breakthrough for rheumatoid arthritis drugs, which are costly and suppress the immune system.