Green Tea And Gout

Green tea is lauded as one of the healthiest drinks on the planet. It’s been consumed for around 5000 years for its many health benefits.

Made from the dried leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant, green tea is minimally processed because it is produced from unoxidized leaves. This is why it has a high concentration of antioxidants and protective polyphenols.

But what about green tea and gout? Is green tea good for gout?

Evidence On The Effect Of Green Tea On Gout

Overproduction of uric acid in the blood leads to gout, an arthritic disorder that affects millions of people yearly and is characterized by an inflammatory response such as severe joint pain, swelling, and redness.

A healthy diet helps reduce the body’s inflammatory reactions that cause pain and swelling. 

Green tea has been shown to aid in reducing the body’s levels of chemicals that lead to severe joint inflammation.

Gout sufferers are advised to drink green tea because it contains a low content of the purines that cause the overproduction of uric acid which in turn cause gout attacks.

And green tea also contains a high concentration of antioxidants that reduce inflammation.

Green Tea Is Good For Gout

Green tea contains epigallocatechin-3-gallate, a naturally occurring antioxidant (EGCG).

EGCG has been demonstrated to inhibit the body’s generation of several inflammatory molecules, particularly those linked to arthritis.

Additionally, recent research suggests that EGCG may delay cartilage aging, prolonging the lifespan of joints.

Vitamins A, B, C, E and K can all be found in green tea, providing you with an abundance of antioxidants to help keep your body in tip-top shape.

Green tea also contains a host of other beneficial compounds such as polyphenols, phenolic acids and catechins, all of which are known to have powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

Vitamin A in green tea may also help reduce levels of uric acid, which is a major factor in gout.

Vitamin B1, B2, and niacin can also help reduce inflammation which is associated with gout.

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can help protect the joints against damage.

Green tea is also known to contain lysine and proline, both of which are important in supporting joint health.

Lysine is an amino acid that helps reduce inflammation and proline boosts the body’s natural production of collagen, which is a protein found in connective tissues like cartilage.

Proline can also help reduce joint pain, stiffness and swelling associated with gout.

Vitamin C and E are also powerful antioxidants that can help protect your body from the damaging effects of free radicals.

Green tea is also rich in flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol are known to help reduce the levels of uric acid in the body.

Quercectin works by inhibiting the enzymes involved in breaking down purines, which are molecules that are broken down into uric acid.

Kaempferol helps reduce inflammation and pain associated with gout by suppressing the production of inflammatory cytokines.

Phew! But there’s more….

Magnesium, manganese and potassium are also found in green tea and can help reduce pain associated with gout.

Magnesium helps reduce inflammation, while manganese and potassium can regulate nerve transmission.

Green Tea Gout Studies

The following results were reported from studies on green tea and gout patients;

• According to the University of Maryland Medical Center research, consuming two to four cups of tea made from green tea leaves or taking 250 to 500 mg of green tea extract daily may help manage gout symptoms. 
• According to a 2021 study from Sweden, the EGCG in green tea may protect joints and tissues by lowering the immune system’s production of certain molecules that might lead to inflammation and joint pain in arthritis patients.
• In a 2016 study of 120 older people with arthritis, green tea use over 6 months was associated with significant symptom improvement and reduced disease activity, perhaps due to the antioxidants in green tea.
• A study by Chiang Mai University in Thailand on green tea and gout found participants had a decrease in their levels of uric acid and higher antioxidant activity.
• A study in China by the Chinese Academy of Science on green tea and gout asked participants to consume green tea for a period of three months and their uric acid levels were measured before and after. Participants showed a decrease in uric acid levels as well as lower inflammation markers.

So green tea has been scientifically proven to help gout sufferers and can be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle as a potential gout cure.

Additional Health Benefits Of Green Tea

Green tea may be beneficial for the following conditions in addition to treating gout:

Lower Cholesterol Level

According to 2020 research, drinking Green tea reduces LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels in persons of all body weights.

Prevent Cardiovascular Diseases

Green tea raises the blood’s antioxidant capacity, which shields LDL particles from oxidation, one of the factors contributing to heart disease. According to research, green tea drinkers had a 31% decreased chance of dying from cardiovascular disease.

Prevention of Cancer 

According to research, oxidative damage can cause chronic inflammation, which in turn can result in chronic illnesses like cancer.

Strong antioxidants may be found in great quantities in green tea which prevents oxidative damage.

According to studies, green tea ingredients have been linked to a decreased incidence of prostate, colorectal, and breast cancer.

Research revealed that women who consume green tea frequently had a roughly 20–30% decreased chance of acquiring it.

Prevent Brain Aging 

The polyphenols in green tea have the potential to preserve your brain as you age in addition to enhancing brain performance. 

Reduced Diabetes

Japanese citizens who regularly drank green tea had a 42% decrease incidence of diabetes mellitus, according to research.

Enhanced Mental Performance

The amount of caffeine in green tea is lower than that of coffee, but it still includes a variety of natural stimulants that may help people stay awake and focused during lengthy cognitive activities.

L-theanine in green tea has a relaxing effect by increasing the brain’s levels of mood-enhancing chemicals such as serotonin, dopamine, and GABA. 

Help With Weight Loss

Green tea is probably included in the list of ingredients for any product that claims to burn fat.

This is because studies show that green tea can raise metabolic rates and promote fat burning. In research with 10 healthy males, consuming green tea extract led to a 4% increase in calories burnt.

According to two distinct review studies, caffeine may potentially improve athletic performance by 11–12%, allowing fatty acids to be released from adipose tissue and used as energy.

Green tea may help decrease body fat, particularly in the stomach region, according to many studies.

Side Effects Of Green Tea

Despite being widely regarded as healthful and safe, green tea should only be used in moderation.

Excessive consumption may have negative effects in some people. These negative effects, which can range from mild to severe, include headache, sleeplessness, anxiety, irritability, stomach issues, and an abnormal heartbeat.

Conclusion 

Green tea is more than simply a drink to keep you hydrated. It has been used medicinally for many years and a tonne of evidence supports its beneficial effects on health.

It can help to lessen gout related pain and inflammation due to its high concentration of antioxidants and polyphenols.

Our Goutometer gives it a 7/10.

It looks very promising for green tea as a gout treatment. There have been a few clinical trials concerning green tea and gout. But I’d slightly lean towards turmeric or tart cherry supplements as they have less side effects and more human trials.

If you experience any gout symptoms, tell your doctor right away. To determine whether you have gout, your doctor can check your blood uric acid levels. 

Always try to keep off foods bad for gout and check out our low purine foods list to help design a healthier lifestyle for yourself.

 

References 

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