New York, April 20 : Green tea may help fight against autoimmune disease - when the immune system attacks itself by mistake, says a new study.

Scientists have earlier shown that antioxidant properties found in green tea could help prevent atherosclerosis, particularly coronary artery disease.

In the new study, researchers led by Stephen Hsu, from the Medical College of Georgia, School of Dentistry, studied an animal model for type I diabetes and primary Sjogren’s syndrome, which damages the glands that produce tears and saliva.

They found significantly less salivary gland damage in a group treated with green tea extract, suggesting a reduction of the Sjogren’s symptom commonly referred to as dry mouth. Dry mouth can also be caused by certain drugs, radiation and other diseases, according to a report published in medical college website.

Approximately 30 percent of elderly Americans suffer from degrees of dry mouth. Only five percent of the elderly in China, where green tea is widely consumed, suffer from the problem, the researchers said.

“Since it is an autoimmune disease, Sjogren’s syndrome causes the body to attack itself and produce extra antibodies that mistakenly target the salivary and lacrimal glands,” Hsu said.

There is no cure or prevention for Sjogren’s syndrome.(IANS)