Tea Drinkers Have Higher Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Filed in archive Arthritis , Functional Foods , Studies on August 13, 2010

© Mourner

Contrary to the findings in previous studies that tea had either a protective or no significant effect, researchers are now saying that the well-loved health drink may actually increase women's risks for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

This is the conclusion of the study conducted by the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study (WHI-OS) which included over 76,000 women in the 50 to 79 age bracket.

Upon enrollment to the study, the women filled out questionnaires that asked about tea drinking habits. After three years, the women returned and analyzed results showed that 185 of the tea drinkers had rheumatoid arthritis. These results were further compared to those of the non-tea drinking participants but were inconclusive.

According to lead investigator Dr. Christopher Collins of the Washington D.C. Hospital Center, the effects of tea drinking to rheumatoid arthritis were modest and that rheumatoid arthritis incidence in the study was low and the questionnaire was very thorough in the aspects of tea drinking habits.