Diabetes is a chronic disease that happens when the pancreas doesn’t produce insulin or the body cannot use the insulin it produces. Insulin, a hormone, acts as a key that opens the door for glucose, the sugar present in food, to enter the body’s cells. Here glucose is converted into energy.
People with type 2 diabetes often experience insulin resistance, a condition through which cells are less sensitive to insulin, making it difficult to take care of normal blood sugar levels.
For centuries, green tea has been valued for its many health advantages. Studies have shown that it may possibly help lower blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the danger of type 2 diabetes.
Green tea may help with weight reduction and improve cardiovascular health. Tests shows that it may possibly even reduce the danger of some kinds of cancer. People with diabetes or wanting to enhance their overall health cannot underestimate the advantages of green tea.
Is green tea good for diabetics?
Managing blood sugar levels is a top priority for individuals with diabetes. To effectively manage diabetes and lead a healthy lifestyle, it is important to observe what you eat and drink.
Most foods you eat needs to be either calorie-free or minimal in calories. Green tea is the proper drink for many who want to satisfy this requirement. Harvard review says green tea accommodates polyphenols, flavonoids and antioxidants without sugar and low in calories.
Meta-analysis controlled studies show that regular consumption of green tea can lower insulin and fasting glucose levels, two key indicators of diabetes.
Green tea can also be helpful for its antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties. These properties help protect cells from damage and inflammation that may result in diabetes.
Tests also shows that green tea accommodates catechins that positively affect glucose metabolism. Various studies and scientific articles prove that regular consumption of green tea is related to a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The health advantages of green tea come from its polyphenols and polysaccharides, that are antioxidants. They can assist maintain normal blood pressure and lower dangerous levels of cholesterol.
The best time to drink green tea for diabetics
For individuals with diabetes, green tea is a helpful drink. This is as a consequence of the presence of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a catechin, in tea. Tests showed that EGCG can improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels.
It is helpful to drink green tea within the morning or between meals if you’ve gotten diabetes as it may possibly help regulate blood sugar and increase energy.
However, take into account that green tea accommodates some caffeine and should cause blood sugar levels to rise in some people. Therefore, consider decaffeinated green tea or limit your intake to earlier within the day to avoid sleep disturbances.
In addition, consuming green tea with meals can reduce the absorption of iron from food. Therefore, it’s needed to observe your blood sugar levels and adjust your eating regimen and medications in consultation along with your doctor.
The amount and timing of green tea consumption could make a difference. You can seek the advice of a registered dietitian on HealthifyMe to evaluate your health condition and suggest the best time and amount for one of the best effect.
Green tea – how does it affect blood sugar and blood pressure?
Rich in antioxidants
People with diabetes have higher levels of oxidative stress than other people, not only of their blood but additionally of their insulin-responsive organs.
Moreover, studies suggest that the extent of oxidative stress indicators increases in prediabetes as a consequence of oxidative stress. Therefore, it plays a key role in the event of type 2 diabetes.
Antioxidants can assist fight oxidative stress. Green tea is source of antioxidants, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Tests showed that EGCG can improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes.
Green tea consumption may help lower blood pressure. According testsThe antioxidants present in green tea, including EGCG, can assist loosen up blood vessels, thereby reducing resistance to blood flow and lowering blood pressure.
Green tea can decelerate the absorption of carbohydrates.
Regular consumption of green tea can assist control blood sugar levels by reducing the speed of carbohydrate absorption. It is particularly helpful for individuals with type 2 diabetes as it may possibly prevent blood sugar spikes after eating.
Weight loss
Green tea is a wonderful alternative if you must control your weight. Additionally, shedding kilos can reduce insulin resistance and regulate blood sugar levels. in accordance with testscan improve metabolism.
Note HealthifyMe
Application
Incorporating green tea into your every day routine may profit individuals with diabetes. Green tea is wealthy in antioxidants, including EGCG, which help regulate blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity.
It is needed to take care of blood sugar levels inside normal limits. In addition to dietary changes, it’s essential to stay energetic to take care of normal blood sugar levels.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Can green tea lower blood sugar?
Oh yeah. The antioxidants and other compounds present in green tea may help lower and maintain blood sugar levels and increase insulin sensitivity. However, take into account that green tea shouldn’t be used as an alternative to prescribed blood sugar medications. Instead, eat it sparsely as a part of a balanced eating regimen.
Q. How over and over can we drink green tea for diabetes?
A: Drinking green tea 2-3 times a day can assist reduce the danger of developing diabetes or control existing blood sugar levels. Nevertheless, talking to your doctor before changing your eating regimen or lifestyle is important.
Q. Is 1 cup of green tea a day enough?
A: Green tea could have some potential blood sugar control advantages. But it shouldn’t be enough to rely solely on it to treat diabetes. Instead, it needs to be consumed as a part of a balanced eating regimen and other diabetes management strategies. Therefore, it shouldn’t be seen as a substitute for a comprehensive approach to diabetes management.
Q. Who shouldn’t drink green tea?
A: Pregnant or lactating women, those with iron deficiency or anemia, and people taking medications should want to limit or avoid green tea. These individuals should seek the advice of their physician before adding green tea to their eating regimen, because it accommodates caffeine and other compounds which will affect fetal or infant development, interfere with non-heme iron absorption, and interact with certain medications.
Q. Which is healthier for diabetics: tea or coffee?
A: People with diabetes may profit from selecting green tea over coffee for several reasons. Green tea accommodates less caffeine than coffee, so it doesn’t affect blood sugar control. In addition, catechins, compounds present in green tea, may positively affect insulin sensitivity and help regulate blood sugar levels.
Q. How much green tea should I drink per day to lower my blood sugar?
A: The effect of green tea on blood sugar must be more clear. Drinking 2 to three cups of green tea a day can assist regulate blood sugar levels. However, more research is required to find out the best amount to eat. What’s more, the effect of green tea on blood sugar levels may vary depending on individual aspects equivalent to age, weight, and overall health.
Research sources
1. Liu K, Zhou R, Wang B, Chen K, Shi LY, Zhu JD, Mi MT. The effect of green tea on glucose control and insulin sensitivity is a meta-analysis of 17 randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr. Aug 2013;98(2):340-8. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.112.052746. Epub 2013 June 26. PMID: 23803878.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23803878/
2. Lin JK, Liang YC, Lin-Shiau SY. Cancer chemoprevention by tea polyphenols via mitotic signal transduction blockade. Biochem Pharmacol. Sept. 15, 1999;58(6):911-5. doi: 10.1016/s0006-2952(99)00112-4. PMID: 10509743.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10509743/
3. Harvard School of Public Health
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/tea/
4. Zheng XX, Xu YL, Li SH, Hui R, Wu YJ, Huang XH. Effect of green tea catechins with or without caffeine on glycemic control in adults: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013 Apr;97(4):750-62. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.111.032573. Epub 2013 Feb 20. PMID: 23426037.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23426037/
5. Yeungnam University Journal of Medicine 2021;38(2):83-94. | Published online: October 8, 2020 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/yujm.2020.00563
https://www.e-jyms.org/m/journal/view.php?number=2615
6. Kashif Munir, Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore | NCT00434499
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00434499
7. Potenza MA, Marasciulo FL, Tarquinio M, Tiravanti E, Colantuono G, Federici A, Kim JA, Quon MJ, Montagnani M. EGCG, green tea polyphenol, improves endothelial function and insulin sensitivity, lowers blood pressure, protects against trauma Myocardial I/R in SHR. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. May 2007;292(5):E1378-87. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00698.2006. Epub 2007 January 16. PMID: 17227956.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17227956/
8. Westerterp-Planteng MS. Green tea catechins, caffeine and weight regulation. Physical behavior. 2010 Apr 26;100(1):42-6. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2010.02.005. Epub 2010 Feb 13. PMID: 20156466.
