Did you know that green tea is a rich source of antioxidants and is loaded with several healthy components which help in regulating blood sugar levels? Dr Wasim M Ghori list out why drinking Green Tea is beneficial for Type 2 Diabetes patients.
Green Tea and Diabetes
Enjoyed by people of all ages, green tea is mostly consumed by fitness enthusiasts. Known for its weight loss property, the green brew has many other health benefits too. A growing body of research shows how drinking green tea can not only help people prevent the onset of diabetes but is also good if you are already diagnosed with diabetes.
Green tea doesn’t actually refer to the green colour of the tea you drink. It refers to way the leaf is processed. Green teas are unfermented and just lightly oxidised, so the leaves retain a greenish colour. Most green tea liquid is actually yellow, not green.
Drinking green tea may also decrease the risk of developing Type-2 diabetes. Studies have shown that those drinking green tea were up to 33% less likely to develop this form of diabetes.
Polyphenols in green tea have anti-diabetic properties
- The polyphenols in green tea help reduce oxidative stress and widens the arteries, decreasing blood pressure, prevents clotting and reduces cholesterol. All these activities reduce the risk of heart disease which is elevated in people with diabetes.
- Polyphenols also help in cell restoration and saves the body from cell damage. Thus, the polyphenols in green tea can help you to control diabetes.
It increases insulin production in the body
- If the individual has type 1 diabetes, it gets difficult for the body to produce insulin. Some studies show that green tea stimulates your body to produce the insulin which then controls your sugar levels and transform the nutrients from the food that you just ate into energy.
- Besides, green tea also helps your body to maximize the functions of the pancreas which is important to produce insulin.
- Some studies also suggest that green tea protects the pancreatic beta cells from damages.
EGCG catechins reduces excess fat from the body
- Green tea contains certain types of flavonoid called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG catechins) which help in burning body fat and increases the fat oxidation. Excess fat in the body often leads to diabetes.
- EGCG catechins also improves tolerance against glucose, thereby protecting the individual from developing Type 1 Diabetes as well as Type 2 Diabetes.
It stimulates metabolism
- Green tea is a perfect de-stress blend, the amino-acid L-theanine present in this tea helps in reducing anxiety and heals the mind and body naturally.
- It is also widely known for its ability to stimulate metabolism as well as improve your immune system which means that there is more energy and blood for use by the brain.
- By consuming green tea, the production of adrenaline hormone that causes the rise in blood sugar levels gets reduced. Lowered levels of stress is significant for people who have diabetes.
Green Tea and Diabetes – how much should you drink?
- People who have diabetes need to consume at least four cups of green tea a day. It should be consumed without adding sugar, milk or cream. The preferable time to take this beverage is morning.
- Never sweeten your green tea. Use alternative sweeteners as a last resort, Stevia being the preferred variety. Green tea does contain a small amount of caffeine, around 25 mg, so be sure log your reaction from drinking it.
- You should avoid bagged tea as well, since the potency and quality are lower than loose tea.
Lastly, please remember that it is not enough to just add green tea in your daily routine, but at the same time maintaining a healthy lifestyle and taking medicines on time is also essential to reduce blood sugar levels.
So, Sip on Green Tea, Stay Healthy & De-Diabetes!
Also read: Why Moringa is a great Superfood for Women
