British scientists from the University of Leeds and the University of Oxford found that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a reduced risk of rheumatoid arthritis, while tea may increase the likelihood of developing the disease. The research was published in the scientific journal magazine Nutrients.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a common autoimmune disease caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy cells.
Symptoms include joint pain and stiffness, swelling, and difficulty grasping or holding objects. It can cause long-term disability, but early diagnosis and treatment can significantly reduce the consequences.
Experts analyzed 30 different studies covering nearly 10 thousand patients with rheumatoid arthritis from 2000 to 2024.
The results suggested that some dietary factors, such as fatty fish and vitamin D, may play a protective role and help people stop the progression of the disease.
Consuming more grains, including whole grains, breakfast cereals, and fruits, appears to be associated with a reduced risk of rheumatoid arthritis, while drinking more tea may be associated with a higher risk.
Additionally, drinking two units of alcohol per week (equivalent to one pint of light lager or ale or a standard glass of wine) may have a protective effect, but excessive consumption increases the risk of developing arthritis.
The protective effect of alcohol diminished with greater consumption and was completely eliminated at around 7.5 units of alcohol per week (about four pints of low-quality beer, lager or cider or 3.5 standard glasses of wine per week).
Although each cup of tea a day increases the risk of arthritis by 4%, the baseline risk of tea drinking is low, meaning even with a 4% increase the overall risk remains small, the scientists explained.
The researchers emphasized that tea has many health benefits and that people should consider their overall diet and lifestyle when deciding what to eat and drink.
Previous scientists in the name A spice that protects cells from inflammation.
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Source: Gazeta
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