How Much Green Tea Should You Drink If You Have Diabetes
Research suggests that there arent negative effects to drinking green tea, as long as youre not adding sugar, says Winonah Hoffman, RN, nursing manager at Austin Regional Clinic in Austin, Texas. When treating people with diabetes, Hoffman recommends never adding sugar to drinks instead, she advises drinking unsweetened tea or tea with sugar alternatives, like stevia.
Stevia is a sugar substitute that comes from the leaves of the stevia plant. Hoffman likes it as an option for people with diabetes because it has less than 1 calorie and no carbs per packet. A study published in the journal Appetite suggests that of the low-calorie sweeteners commonly used by people with diabetes , stevia was the only one shown to lower blood sugar and insulin levels after a meal.
RELATED: 5 Sugar Substitutes for Type 2 Diabetes
If you find green tea to be too bitter, forgo using honey or table sugar and instead opt for a sweetener such as stevia.
When drinking green tea, the other thing to keep in mind is caffeine, which can affect blood sugar and blood pressure. The latter is of particular concern for people with type 2 diabetes, who are 2 to 4 times as likely to die of heart disease compared with people without type 2 diabetes, according to the American Heart Association.
But if your body is sensitive to caffeine, it could still be a problem. Thats why its important to pay attention to your individual reaction.
How They Are Related: Tea And Diabetes
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, common tea can be an effective weapon in the fight against diabetes because it boosts insulin activity in the body by more than 15-fold. Both black and green teas were shown to increase insulin activity.
The sugars and carbohydrates in our food are digested mainly in the duodenum, where they are converted to glucose and then absorbed into the blood. The agent that regulates the intake of blood sugar into the tissues is insulin, a chemical secreted from Langerhans, which are islets on the pancreas. Diabetes is a disease characterized by the insufficient secretion or improper functioning of insulin, which hinders the proper absorption of glucose into the tissues and leads to a high concentration of blood sugar that must eventually be excreted into the urine. If this high concentration of blood sugar should continue for a long period, it will affect the vascular system and cause a number of quite serious diseases, including atherosclerosis and retinal hemorrhages.
It has been shown that the polysaccharides in green tea possess the same ability to regulate blood sugar as insulin. Although these results come from animal tests, the evidence that green tea catechin and polysaccharides can lower blood sugar in mice may also, in light of Dr. Minowadas old report, apply to humans.
Other Benefits Derived From Drinking Green Tea
Green tea has become a very popular drink in all over the world because of the several health benefits that the drink has to offer. Apart from the aforementioned benefits, green tea has a host of other benefits too. Some of these include:
- The caffeine present in the drink acts as a great stimulating agent.
- The drink is known to be highly rich in a number of nutrients, vitamins, etc. because of which it is highly beneficial in the treatment of heart- related diseases, cancer, arthritis, etc.
- Regular consumption of the tea is also known to reduce the levels of bad cholesterol present in the body.
- Very few people know that the drink is a very good astringent which helps one in getting toned muscles and skin.
Read Also: Stopping Metformin Cold Turkey
Proving Cause And Effect
Still, the new study doesnt prove cause and effect, Dr. Beresniak said, adding that more causality research needs to be done on the glucose-control benefits of black tea. 6
While black tea extracts have been shown in laboratory experiments to block carbohydrate absorption and to suppress postprandial blood glucose in animal studies, the authors of the latest report said they undertook their study because of the relative dearth of clinical research on the effects of black tea on postprandial glycemic control in humans. 1
The authors also noted that keeping blood sugar in check after meals is a critical but simple way to help prevent diabetes, and that black tea, regarded as a functional food, may be useful to that end. 1
Tea, after water, is the most widely consumed beverage in the world. About 78% of the tea produced worldwide is black and is used primarily in Europe and North America about 20% is green and is consumed mostly in Asian countries and about 2% is oolong, which undergoes a level of oxidation somewhere in between green and black teas and is favored in China and Taiwan. 7
As of 2015, 415 million people in the worldone of 11 adultshave diabetes, according to the Brussels-based International Diabetes Federation. By 2040, that number is expected to climb to 642 million. An estimated 318 million worldwide have impaired glucose tolerance, or prediabetes. 8
Such Small Studies Only Offer A Bit Of Hope For Now
Angela Fitch, MD, FACP, associate professor and vice president of primary care at University of Cincinnati College of Medicine/UC Health in Ohio, says that the catechins in green tea do provide health benefits. We know that these catechins can help with blood sugar regulation, she says.
It is still unclear whether either of these extracts could prove useful in managing glucose in people with diabetes. Nearly half of all Americans have diabetes, or prediabetes,3 which is a condition that causes blood glucose levels to rise above normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. Individuals with prediabetes, who are at risk of developing diabetes as well as cardiovascular disease,4 are often advised to make changes to their diet and to try to lose weight as the best way to reduce the risks associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
While results from the two studies offer some promise of health benefits, it is important to keep in mind that they both involved a small number of people and that if the same research was conducted with larger numbers of subjects, the findings might end up being quite different, Dr. Fitch says. The two studies show a benefit, but if we repeat these studies with 10,000 patients, they may show no connection between the extracts and improvements in diabetes symptoms, she says.
Recommended Reading: What Hormone Is The Primary Antagonist Of Glucagon
Green Tea Extract Pills The Final Verdict
Green tea has a host of beneficial effects on the overall health of an individual. Studies on the population of South East Asian countries like Japan, Korea, etc. have shown an overall positive public health due to their culture of consuming green tea. In moderation, green tea is an elixir that reduces mortality from various causes, especially obesity and diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is a dietary disorder and most of its symptoms are due to oxidative stress. These health complications are exacerbated by the consumption of anti-diabetic medication. Dietary supplements such as green tea extract help reduce the oxidative stress as well as the cardinal causes of diabetes.
A holistic diet and an active lifestyle are key to reversing diabetes. Add to it a positive outlook, meditation and yoga and you have a comprehensive regimen to reverse this chronic disease and get back to a healthier self.
Green Tea And Type 2 Diabetes
Talking about type 2 diabetes, the one common risk factor is obesity and there can be nothing better than green tea to combat that.
The polyphenol EGCG present in green tea is known to boost metabolism and suppress your appetite.
Green tea is also known to trigger the process of fat burning. Over a period of time, your unwanted body fat will get reduced and you will be able to maintain a healthy weight.
Once you reach a healthy weight, your chances of developing type 2 diabetes will get reduced.
So, essentially if you ward off the risk factors for type 2 diabetes, you can keep the disease at bay.
Overall, green tea is definitely a beneficial beverage for diabetics.
Read Also: What Is A Normal A1c For A Non Diabetic
Don’t Miss: How Long Do Type 1 Diabetics Live
Is Green Tea Extract Safe
When green tea is consumed as a drink in moderate amounts, it is safe for most adults. If high amounts of green tea are consumed for a longer term, it is possibly unsafe due to the consumption of large amounts of caffeine.
In small amounts , green tea is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Drinking more than 2 cups a day is possibly unsafe. High consumption of green tea during pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage due to high caffeine intake.
Green Tea For Diabetes: Benefits
Diabetes is one of the most common diseases in the world, which is spreading like an epidemic. Not only adults, but children are also affected by it. A lot of it happens because of a bad lifestyle, poor eating choices and erratic sleeping patterns. A lot of it is because of hereditary reasons. Diabetes is mostly classified into type 1 and Type 2. Green tea is one such beverage, which can help in fighting type 2 diabetes in more ways than one. If you include this brew in your everyday diet, you will notice that your blood sugar will normalize. You will also feel energetic enough to go on long walks or exercise harder at the gym. Essentially a 0 calorie beverage, the green brew is also known for hydrating the body. It is an excellent beverage to add to a diabetes diet because it helps in improving metabolism, which is affected by the rise in blood sugar levels.
You May Like: What Is A Normal A1c For A Non Diabetic
Black Tea Improves Glucose Levels May Help Prevent Diabetes
Although green tea has been getting most of the attention lately for its myriad health benefits, accumulating research shows that black tea offers advantages, too. The latest revelation: black teas ability to blunt increases in blood sugar. 1
A new study has found that black tea significantly reduces rises in blood glucose levels among both healthy and pre-diabetic adults, in this case after consuming a sugary drink. 1
We demonstrated that black tea reduced incremental blood glucose after sucrose consumption at 60, 90 and 120 minutes compared with placebo, wrote the authors of the study, which appears in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1
The data confirm that polyphenols lower glycemic response and may be responsible for the lower rates of diabetes observed with tea and coffee consumption, said Peter Clifton, M.D., PhD., professor of nutrition at the University of South Australia in Adelaide, who recently conducted a review of the role of dietary polyphenols in regulating glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity, published in Nutrients. 2, 3
Green Tea And Weight Loss Studies
The weight-loss effects of tea may be beneficial for diabetes. Some research suggests that both black tea and green tea may help with weight loss, and this may be due to complex interactions with the gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids, and lipid metabolism.
Manufacturers cash in on these claims, marketing slimming tea in various forms. However, inconsistent study results and inconclusive evidence mean we still dont know how, or indeed if, they work for everyone.
Furthermore, a scientific report by the European Food Safety Authority advised that green tea supplements may be toxic to the liver.
Read Also: Can Type 2 Diabetics Donate Blood
Can Green Tea Increase The Risk For Type 2 Diabetes
Editor: Joy Pape, MSN, FNP-C, CDE, WOCN, CFCN, FAADE
People consistently drinking green tea may not be getting all the benefits as hoped.
Based on studies in 2015, green tea has been the main focus internationally amongst other teas, including half-fermented , fully fermented , and post-fermented for health and nutrition. Tea is one of the most popular drinks on a global scale, and green tea, specifically, is predominantly utilized in China and Japan.
A cohort study conducted by International Journal of Epidemiology gathered 119,373 participants from both the Shanghai Womens and Mens Health Study in China who did not have diabetes. Surveys were given to collect tea-drinking information, both at baseline and follow-up. Caffeine blood levels and T2D incidence were analyzed in the follow-up surveys. Follow-up occurred every 2-4 years. The hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval were found via cox regression analysis. Caffeine metabolites and T2D risk correlation was examined with logistic regression analysis.
It was found that individuals who drank more green tea had a greater onset risk of T2D versus people who werent drinking green tea . Both men and women in the study had this risk during the entire follow-up period. Body mass/size and smoking behavior did not affect the association between green tea drinking and diabetes incidence. Diabetes incidence was associated with caffeine plasma levels as well, based on the tea drinking .
Practice Pearls:
References:
/5how Does It Control The Blood Glucose Level
Regular intake of green tea decreases fasting glucose levels and fasting insulin levels, which are the two basic parameters used to measure diabetic health. The benefits of green tea are majorly due to the antioxidant activity of polyphenols and polysaccharides. These two antioxidants are also effective in managing the blood pressure level and lowering the bad cholesterol level in the body.
Recommended Reading: Does Crystal Light Raise Blood Sugar
Is Liptons Diet Green Tea Good For Diabetics
Diabetes is known for its severe conditions in which blood sugar levels are high. The pancreas that ought to be regulating the blood glucose level stops and diabetes is a sickness that cannot be healed completely, which is why it is important to manage diabetes well.
Lipton brand contains different types of calorie-free ingredients and fits into the diabetes diet plan as it supports weight loss and reduces the risk of heart diseases.
Green tea is often recommended for diabetes patients to help normalize their blood glucose levels and lowers the rate of digesting and absorbing starches.
Studies also show that green tea offers other health benefits, like reducing the risk of Parkinsons disease and cancer.
Green tea is of great benefit to both type 1 and types 2 diabetes type 1 diabetes patient through the burning of fat gets dangerous chemical substances into their blood while type 2 diabetes patient is at high risk when they have high blood pressure, obesity, poor nutrition and kind of shape where the extra weight lies around the waist region.
Taking the Lipton tea brand helps to reduce this risk and maintain good health.
Other Teas To Try To Better Manage Type 2 Diabetes
The difference between green, oolong, and black tea is how theyre processed. Green tea is made from fresh leaves, which are steamed to prevent fermentation. The tea keeps its green color and antioxidant compounds. Oolong tea is slightly fermented, and black tea is fully fermented.
Some people prefer black or oolong teas because theyre milder in taste , says Hoffman. Compared with green tea, black and oolong teas dont have the same antioxidant levels and have slightly more caffeine, but that doesnt mean theyre a bad choice.
If you are sensitive to caffeine, herbal teas can be a great substitute. They dont contain caffeine and can be rich with flavor. On this note, Arevalo recommends cinnamon tea for people with type 2 diabetes for both taste and possible health benefits . Theres also some evidence that cinnamon might help control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes in larger amounts.
You May Like: Which Pancreatic Cells Release Insulin And Glucagon
Amazing Tea Options For Diabetics:
Green Tea
Green tea tops the list which offers a magnitude of healing health benefits, especially valuable for people with diabetes. Drinking green tea on a regular basis may lower cellular damage, reduce inflammation and control blood sugar spikes. A notable amount of bioactive compound epigallocatechin gallate in green tea has been shown to trigger the uptake of glucose into skeletal muscle cells, thus lowering blood sugar levels. Furthermore, drinking green tea have remarkably lowered fasting blood sugar levels and HbA1C levels, both are an indicator of long-term blood glucose control. It is recommended to drink 2-3 cups of green tea per day to reap its wellness incentives. Also Read: Green Tea: Is There A Perfect Time To Drink This Healthy Beverage?
Black Tea
Black tea is overpowered with beneficial plant compounds such as theflavins and thearubigins which possess strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and blood-sugar-lowering properties. Studies have revealed that consuming black tea helps to promote insulin secretion and keep the blood glucose levels under control. It is suggested to drink about 3 cups of black tea per day to earn notable incentives.
Hibiscus Tea
Cinnamon Tea
Chamomile Tea
Major Brands Of Green Tea
1 Lipton Green Tea: This type of tea is made with artificial coloring, preservatives, and additives. They are best enjoyed when they are taken from the green tea bags and served hot or cold.
2 Traditional Medicinals Organic Green Tea Ginger: This green tea brand contains spicy ginger and natural green tea blended with traditional medicine products. It aids digestion and rid away nausea, including ginger, which has lots of health benefits. A cup of this tea can be added to the diabetes diet regimen.
Read Also: Tight Control Diabetes
Drinking Tea For Diabetes: Green Tea Or Black Tea
When it comes to drinking tea for diabetes, Steinbaum says benefits are tied to all teas, but that green tea is the clear winner. “For one, when you drink green tea for diabetes, you will get a higher level of polyphenols than you would get in black, she explains. Its the polyphenols in fruits and vegetables that give them their bright colors. So, having more color means that green tea is richer in polyphenols. Of the black teas, the more orange the color, the higher the polyphenols, she adds.
Besides its color, green tea also contains higher polyphenol levels because it’s prepared from unfermented leaves, “so it is really pure, Steinbaum says. Black tea, on the other hand, is made from leaves that are fully fermented, which robs it of some nutrients. Plus, some black tea varieties can have two to three times more caffeine than green, which isnt good in excess, she says.