Tea and Diabetes: Is Tea Suitable for Diabetics?

We have to agree that our morning is incomplete without our favorite cup of it. Some like it with milk, some without milk, some like it strong and the preferences go on.  Apart from being a hit as per taste, some varieties even bring a number of health benefits including improving insulin sensitivity among diabetic patients. But do tea and diabetes go together? This has been a commonly asked question.  It has been proven that tea can actually help improve your blood sugar levels.

Benefits of Tea

Research suggests the following benefits may be enjoyed from different varieties of tea:

• Improving insulin sensitivity
• Maintaining healthy blood pressure
• Preventing blood clots
• Reducing risk of cardiovascular disease
• Reducing risks of developing type 2 diabetes
• Reducing risks of developing cancer

Tea and Diabetes- Is it a good combination?

There are different types of teas which can have different benefits for diabetics. We have listed some of them below-

• Green Tea : This is a good option for people with diabetes as it is known to help improve metabolic function. Polyphenols present in green tea can also help regulate glucose in the body, helping to prevent or control diabetes.

   

• Black Tea : Just like green tea black tea also harbors substances which can help reduce risk of type 2 diabetes. Black tea is known to contain a special polysaccharide compound which acts almost exactly like few diabetes drugs generally prescribed for type 2 diabetes.

   

• Chamomile Tea : Chamomile tea is known to help lower blood sugar levels and prevent complications that may arrive from diabetes. Some common complications include kidney disease and retinopathy. Drinking chamomile tea can also help lose weight, lower stress levels and regulate sleep.

   

• Hibiscus Tea : This type is rich in vitamin C, minerals, and various antioxidants, which can help control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes. The health benefits of drinking this tea also include lowering blood pressure and cholesterol and reducing the risk of cancer.

Tea is beneficial, but tea alone cannot help prevent or control diabetes.

Precautionary Measures to Take if You are a Diabetic

• Limiting processed food intake
• Consuming vegetables regularly through the day
• Including physical activity daily
• Not smoking, if you do
• Keeping alcohol intake to negligible and eventually quitting the habit

With all the above combined efforts, managing diabetes can be a lot easier. Another helpful addition is a glucometer which will help you manage, monitor and track sugar levels even on the go.