Green Tea May Prevent or Delay the Onset of Type 1 Diabetes

The researchers were testing EGCG in a laboratory mouse with type 1 diabetes and primary Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disorder in which immune cells attack and damage moisture-producing glands that produce tears and saliva.

Both type 1 diabetes and Sjogren’s syndrome are autoimmune diseases, which cause the body to attack itself. Autoimmune disorders are the third most common group of diseases in the United States and affect about 8 percent of the population. Sjogren’s syndrome can occur alone or secondary to another autoimmune disease, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or type 1 diabetes.

The researchers treated a control group of mice with water and a test group with a purified form of EGCG dissolved in the drinking water. At 16 weeks, the EGCG-fed mice were 6.1 times more likely to be diabetes free than the water-fed group, and 4.2 times more likely at 22 weeks.

“Our study focused on Sjogren’s syndrome, so learning that EGCG also can prevent and delay insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes was a big surprise,” says Dr. Stephen Hsu, study author.

EGCG also reduced the severity and delayed onset of salivary gland damage associated with Sjogren’s syndrome, which has no known cure.

“The benefit of using green tea in preventing or slowing these autoimmune diseases is that it’s natural and not known to harm the body,” says Dr. Gillespie, study author. “EGCG doesn’t have the negative side-effects that can be associated with steroids or other medications that could otherwise be prescribed.”

References:
1. Stephen Hsu, et al. Medical College of Georgia.
2. Mayo Clinic.
3. Image by subtle_3106.