Can green tea relieve inflammatory bowel disease? – Healing practice

Green tea contains the herbal active ingredient epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which has anti-inflammatory properties and can also help relieve chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

Using a systematic evaluation of available preclinical study, a Chinese research team examined the effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate against inflammatory bowel disease and identified potential underlying mechanisms. The results are published in the specialized journal.Botanical medicine“Posted.

Health benefits of green tea

Green tea is said to have many positive health effects, ranging from positive effects on intestinal flora to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and even an anti-cancer effect.

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The team explains that one of the main active ingredients in green tea is EGCG, which is also thought to have anti-inflammatory properties and potential pharmacological effects in inflammatory bowel disease.

However, evidence for the use of EGCG to treat chronic inflammatory bowel disease is insufficient to date.

The effects of EGCG have been examined

Based on a comprehensive evaluation of available pre-clinical studies, researchers have now attempted to evaluate the effect of green tea polyphenols. For this purpose, a meta-analysis of 19 animal studies was performed.

The focus was on effects on IBD pathology as well as on markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. In addition, the dose-response relationship was evaluated and an attempt was made to determine the optimal dose for the treatment of IBD.

Alleviating the course of the disease

The findings suggest that EGCG ameliorates inflammatory bowel disease by reducing markers of inflammatory and oxidative stress, the research team reported.

Among others, significant improvements were observed in the so-called disease activity index, the macroscopic colitis damage index and histological findings. The researchers also observed a reduction in several important markers of inflammation and oxidative stress.

What is the ideal dose?

Oral administration of EGCG has shown superior efficacy compared to other routes of administration, and according to the researchers, the results of the dose-response analysis showed that the optimal dose range is between 32 and 62 milligrams of EGCG per kilogram of body weight per kilogram. Day – with an intervention duration from 4.8 to 13.6 days.

Overall, the active ingredient found in green tea in the mentioned doses can have a very positive effect on chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, according to the research team's conclusion. (FP)