It is common knowledge that tea has myriad health benefits.
When it comes to diabetes, however, the humble beverage takes it up a notch! Certain teas have properties that make them a must-try drinking option for those with the condition.
These special teas have compounds like polyphenols and caffeine, which show anti-diabetic activity. Hence, they are useful for controlling blood sugar levels. Moreover, teas with spices like cinnamon are known to be diabetes fighters.
Below are some of the best teas for diabetes. Take a look!
There are plenty of studies that confirm that green tea is indeed beneficial for diabetes. For example, EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), a compound in this type of tea, helps skeletal muscles take in glucose, thereby reducing blood sugar levels.
Quite helpful, isn’t it?
Moreover, one cup of green tea has 0 grams of sugars and fats and is only a mere 2.4 calories. Other benefits include helping in weight loss, lowers blood glucose levels, and decreases inflammation.
Hibiscus tea may be sour, but it contains beneficial polyphenol antioxidants. In addition, this tea has a host of properties like lowering blood pressure and reducing inflammation.
Usually, those who have diabetes tend also to have high blood pressure. Hence, this tea performs a dual role.
It reduces blood pressure and insulin resistance. So expect to tackle two conditions with one tea!
Inky black tea with its malty flavor is another boon to those suffering from a diabetic condition.
Black tea contains two potent compounds—Theaflavins and Thearubigins. These have blood-sugar-lowering properties, so safely substitute black tea for any sugary drinks.
Moreover, black tea improves insulin resistance, according to some studies.
Take 3 to 4 cups a day! That’s the minimum to regulate your body sugar levels.
The key here is the spice that goes in the tea! The spice in question is cinnamon, notable for its anti-diabetic properties.
One such study shows that drinking 3.5 ounces of cinnamon tea before consuming a sugary drink led to decreased blood sugar levels.
Cinnamon is well-known for helping to reduce blood sugar levels. Moreover, it also helps in the slow release of sugar into the bloodstream, promoting insulin sensitivity.
Healthy blood sugar regulation is key to controlling and managing diabetes naturally. Chamomile tea does just that!
Not only does it have these properties, but it is also responsible for reducing HbA1c and insulin levels, said one study.
It also helps to protect against oxidative stress. Oxidative stress leads to diabetes-related complications. Furthermore, this type of tea has increases antioxidant levels that help to fight against oxidative stress.
Turmeric tea has a special compound by the name of curcumin that has natural blood sugar lowering properties. Again, some studies show that it improves insulin sensitivity.
It also helps tissues take up sugar, thereby reducing its levels in the blood. Moreover, the good news is that turmeric tea can be made at home. All you need to do is add turmeric (which can easily be bought from any Indian store) to your tea.
Final words on the best teas for diabetes
Apart from these six teas, others, like lemon balm, peppermint, and Rooibos tea, can help manage diabetes. Hence, if you need a beverage that won’t give you a sugar rush, you can opt for the above-specialized teas.
Hence, standing on the cusp of the festive season, do not worry about managing your diabetic condition. Instead, drink these teas and keep your diabetes under control!