Finding the best tea for diabetes and lowering blood sugar
If you’re looking for the best tea for diabetes and lowering blood sugar then you’re in the right place.
Diabetes is a chronic and debilitating disease with potentially devastating effects on many organs of the body.
Unfortunately, diabetes is very common, affecting at least 400 million people worldwide.
As of 2019, diabetes was the world’s ninth leading cause of death, with an estimated 1.5 million deaths directly attributed to it.
According to the World Health Organization, the prevalence of diabetes has been steadily rising over the past few years.
From traditional medicines to natural remedies, people are now seeking more natural alternative medicine for diabetes and blood sugar.
General practices like getting quality sleep, limiting sugar intake, exercising, and eating healthy can help control diabetes.
Past research has found that certain teas contain powerful compounds like polyphenols.
Researchers believe that polyphenols play a significant role in lowering blood glucose levels and increasing insulin activity.
Below we delve into the health benefits of tea for diabetic patients.
You will also discover the best tea for diabetes, according to research.
Tea and Diabetes Management: How Tea Affects Blood Sugar
Drinking hot or cold tea is a cornerstone of a healthy diet — for both diabetic and healthy people.
There is a lot of evidence that regularly consuming unsweetened tea can have long-lasting beneficial effects on your wellness.
However, people with diabetes must know how specific types of tea affect their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic health condition characterized by too high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes occurs when your pancreas can no longer make insulin (the hormone that regulates blood sugar) or when your body is unable to make proper use of the produced insulin.
Therefore, people with diabetes must monitor and manage their blood sugar levels.
True teas and herbal teas have potent health-boosting and blood-sugar-lowering properties.
Clinical trials have found that specific teas can help in diabetes management.
Unsweetened tea can be a helpful low-calorie beverage for people with diabetes as it does not impact blood sugar levels.
Tea can also prevent dehydration, which causes a significant increase in blood sugar levels.
In addition, some teas contain many natural bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols.
Polyphenols provide incredible health benefits like combating cellular damage, reducing inflammation, and optimizing blood sugar control.
5 Best Teas for Diabetes and Blood Sugar
1. Green Tea
Green tea is one of the best teas that can help manage blood sugar levels, reduce the risk of heart disease, and fend off diabetes.
This healthful beverage does not contain added sugars and is low in calories, making it a great choice for people with diabetes.
A cup of green tea offers many evidence-based health benefits, which are particularly helpful for diabetic patients.
Green tea benefits include promoting weight loss, improving insulin sensitivity, reducing inflammation, and optimizing blood sugar regulation.
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is green tea’s most abundant and potent antioxidant.
EGCG may increase the uptake of glucose into skeletal muscle cells, consequently lowering blood glucose levels, according to a past review published in the International Journal of Molecular Science in 2019.
During another review of studies, researchers noted that green tea extract can help lower blood sugar levels.
Cups of green tea may even play an important role in preventing obesity and type 2 diabetes.
According to one small study in the review, habitual consumption of green tea for more than ten years resulted in lower body weight and a significantly smaller waist circumference compared to those who didn’t drink the tea.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
2. Black Tea
Black tea is made from camellia Sinensis plant leaves.
It is chock-full of antioxidant properties that may offer potent health benefits.
Regular consumption of black tea can help eliminate free radicals and prevent cell damage in the body, resulting in a lower risk of chronic diseases.
Black tea contains polyphenols such as theaflavins, catechins, and thearubigins.
These compounds have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may improve overall health.
An animal study found that these antioxidants may also help reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, and increased blood sugar levels.
A randomized, double-blind study involved 24 participants, some of whom were healthy while others had prediabetes.
The study, published in 2017 in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that drinking black tea after consuming a sugary drink significantly reduced blood sugar levels compared to those who ingested the placebo drink.
A rodent study also found that black tea consumption may promote healthy insulin secretion by protecting the cells that secrete insulin.
According to another review published in the journal of Antioxidants, some epidemiological studies found that drinking oolong tea, green tea, or black tea may notably reduce the risk of diabetes and diabetes complications.
The same study also suggests that tea, including black tea, may improve our body’s insulin resistance and help alleviate inflammatory responses.
3. Chamomile Tea
This healthy beverage is one of the best teas for diabetes.
Chamomile is a powerhouse of potent compounds that may offer multiple remarkable health benefits, including boosting immunity and optimizing healthy blood sugar regulation.
During a study involving 64 patients with diabetes, the researchers noted that HbA1c and insulin levels significantly reduced after consuming 5 ounces of chamomile tea three times per day after meals for eight weeks.
Multiple studies have also demonstrated that chamomile tea has protective effects against oxidative stress and may help prevent cellular damage.
Oxidative stress plays a big role in the development of diabetes-related complications.
Plus, chamomile tea is a caffeine-free beverage that has the potential to promote quality sleep.
The CDC notes that a single night of low-quality sleep can lead to ineffective insulin production, which can raise your blood sugar levels.
4. Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea or sour tea is a refreshing beverage with a deep red color and sweet, tart flavors that resemble cranberry.
This excellent drink is known for its incredible health benefits.
Hibiscus tea is especially helpful for people with high blood pressure and cholesterol.
High blood pressure is a common symptom of diabetes.
The petals of the Hibiscus sabdariffa plant contain high antioxidant levels.
A good example of the polyphenols in tart tea is anthocyanin and organic acids, which contribute to the tea’s positive effects like reducing inflammation.
A recent study involved sixty study participants with diabetes.
The researchers found that those who consumed 8 ounces of hibiscus tea two times per day for one month had their systolic blood pressure significantly reduced compared to those who drank black tea.
Furthermore, studies have found that cups of tea may effectively reduce insulin resistance.
5. Lemon Balm Tea
Lemon Balm tea, also known as Melissa tea, is a healthful natural remedy that boasts a smooth flavor with mild hints of lemon and mint.
This delicious tea is popular for its extensive health benefits with minimal to no side effects.
Rated one of the best teas for diabetes, lemon balm essential oils have been found to enhance cellular glucose uptake while inhibiting glucose synthesis in the body.
This leads to decreased blood sugar levels.
During a study that involved sixty-two patients with type 2 diabetes, the researchers noted that those who took 700 milligrams capsules of lemon balm extract for 12 weeks experienced a significant reduction in fasting blood sugar levels, markers of inflammation HbA1c, and blood pressure compared to the control group.
Best Tea for Diabetes - The Bottom Line
The prevalence of diabetes has been increasing in the last few decades due to factors like lifestyle, obesity, and socioeconomic status.
People with diabetes are advised to limit sugar intake, such as flavored coffee, energy drinks, and soda.
And while it’s true that added sugar can increase your risk of diabetes, this doesn’t mean missing out on incredible flavors.
The good news is that true teas and tisanes like cinnamon tea, peppermint tea, and turmeric tea are low in calories and are diabetes-friendly.
Besides enjoying a refreshing flavor, you will also gain incredible health benefits.
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