Another benefit of green tea; this one relating to bladder health

For many adults an unfortunate side-effect of aging can be bladder issues. Approximately ten million American adults have problems controlling their bladders and estimates for affected seniors range from 1-in-10 to 1-in-5. According to a University of Pittsburgh press release, "Bladder disease affects both men and women and can include incontinence or interstitial cystitis, a chronic inflammatory condition that causes frequent, urgent and painful urination and pelvic discomfort."

That's the bad news. The good news is that science keeps finding new ways to help, and sometimes these "new" ways are actually quite old. Case in point, green tea. Green tea is rich in antioxidants and has been linked to many potential health benefits (for example this).

Green tea is now being linked with bladder health. The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine study found that components of green tea protected bladder cells from inflammation and herbal agents could be used to treat inflammatory bladder diseases. Further research is needed as the study involved extracted cells in cultures as opposed to human subjects. However the The concentrations used in the study were at levels that may be achieved through dietary intake.

Despite the preliminary nature of the study, there is no reason for most people to not consider including green tea as part of their regular diet and at a minimum should raise the issue with their primary health care provider.

Note: According to the National Institute on Aging, while bladder control issues are common with older people aging does not cause incontinence and most of the causes can be treated, controlled or cured.