Diabetes

Is Tea Good for Diabetes? Does It Help Reduce Blood Sugar Levels?

Tea has been consumed over centuries as a relaxant. But did you know that it was mainly used to fight common cold and cough, chest congestion, phlegm and headaches.

Well, yes tea is a healthy beverage that aids in good weight loss, improves digestion and boosts energy.

But can a diabetic drink sugar-free tea? What tea is good for diabetes?

Let’s uncover some real-time facts about tea and its benefits at large. 

 

Tea: Nutritional Profile

100 grams of tea contains the following nutrients:

Calories: 10
Total Fat: 0.47 g
Saturated Fat: 0.269 g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.028 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 0.117 g
Cholesterol: 1 mg
Sodium: 8 mg
Total Carbohydrate: 0.85 g 
Dietary Fiber: 0 g
Sugars: 0.78 g
Protein: 0.53 g

Advantages of Tea For Diabetes

  • Diabetes patients have high levels of reactive oxygen species, which Tea’s antioxidant qualities can help avoid diabetes complications such as damaged tissues and eye, blood vessels, and nerve issues.
  • Lowers risks of heart attacks and blood clots
  • Aids in weight loss
  • Improves memory
  • Aids in good digestion
  • Regulates blood sugar levels and prevents insulin spikes

Ways To Drink Tea For Diabetes

1. Green Tea

Green Tea is high in antioxidants, which can assist the body to minimize inflammation and cell damage and control insulin levels. Studies show that the bioactive ingredient epigallocatechin gallate (egcg) in green Tea helps absorb glucose in muscle cells, lowering blood sugar levels.

2. Hibiscus Tea

If you like tart and sweet flower teas, try this excellent hibiscus tea! This tea brew can genuinely help reduce blood sugar levels naturally. Antioxidants, including organic acids and anthocyanins found in the hibiscus, can reduce inflammation, improve insulin resistance, and control blood sugar levels.

3. Black Tea

A simple black tea can naturally lower insulin levels. It contains flavins and thearubigins, which have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and blood glucose-lowering properties. 

Best Time To Consume Tea For Diabetes

Drinking 2 cups of green Tea or 3 to 4 cups of black Tea without sugar daily will help lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. You can have sugarless green tea 1 hour after lunch or black tea during the evening. 

Risks of Over Consuming Tea For Diabetes

1. Low Nutrient-Absorption

Caffeine can slow digestion and impair nutrient absorption, and tea contains tannin, which hinders iron absorption from food. 

2. Increased Restlessness

We usually drink tea to relax and relieve ourselves from our hectic lives, but did you realize that this habit might increase stress and anxiety? Caffeine can produce restlessness. 

3. Heartburn And Discomfort

The caffeine in Tea aggravates the stomach’s acid development, resulting in heartburn, bloating, and unpleasantness. Moreover, it also produces acid reflux in the body.

4. Pregnancy Complications

Excessive tea intake can harm both mother and child, and caffeine use increases the chance of problems. To avoid difficulties, pregnant women should drink caffeine-free tea or herbal tea.

5. Headaches

You have a cup of tea, hoping to get some relief from your headaches. Sadly, this practice may be the cause for them. Excessive tea (caffeine) consumption causes discomfort and headaches.

6. Nausea

Tea, especially milk-based tea, can cause nausea due to tannins, which irritate digestive tissue, cause bloating discomfort, and stomach ache.

Other Health Benefits of Tea

  • Consumption of tea helps with weight loss
  • Green tea may prevent bone loss
  • Tea can decrease tooth loss
  • Tea helps to keep the immune system strong
  • Regular consumption of tea soothes the digestive system

Don’t Have Time To Read?

  • Tea has a lot of nutritional components, including polyphenols, caffeine, flavonols, catechins, and theaflavins.
  • Tea consumption helps reduce cholesterol, diabetes risk, and helps in better digestion.
  • You can consume tea in multiple forms, including green tea, cinnamon tea, black tea, chamomile tea, and hibiscus tea, among others.
  • 3 to 4 cups of green or black tea help reduce sugar levels in the body.
  • Overconsumption of tea could lead to lower nutrient absorption, heartburn, pregnancy complications, nausea, and headaches, among others.

 

Managing diabetes doesn’t have to be hard when you have the right information. These blogs cover everything you need to know—from understanding symptoms to tips on healthy eating and managing your condition. Explore these articles to stay informed and take control of your diabetes care!

Curious About Diabetes-Friendly Drinks? Discover What’s Good and What’s Not!
Is Coconut Water Good For Diabetics
Is Sugarcane Juice Good For Diabetes
Is Green Tea Good For Diabetics
Is Coffee Good For Diabetics
Diabetic Drinks List

 

Common FAQs

1. Is Tea Good For Diabetics?

Certain teas contain powerful compounds that may be helpful for persons with diabetes. Ensure it is unsweetened.

2. Does Tea Raise Blood Sugar? 

Some teas may help lower blood sugar levels. In an epididymal fat cell assay, tea increased insulin activity more than 15-fold.

3. Can Diabetics Drink Tea With Milk?

People with diabetes should avoid drinking milk tea from jersey/imported cows if they suffer from digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, or lactose intolerance.

4. Is Sugar In Tea Bad?

Sugar causes several health issues, including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. While green tea can help fight cancer, adding sugar may cause more harm than good.

5. Which Tea Is Good For Diabetics?

Some teas contain powerful compounds that may help diabetics. Chamomile tea, lemon balm tea, turmeric tea, green Tea, hibiscus tea, cinnamon tea, and black Tea have anti-diabetic properties.

6. Is Green Tea Better Than Milk Tea?

Green Tea has a lot of fluorides and is thus a good source of bone and dental health. Milk reduces fluoride content in Tea.

Dr. Shivani Arora, MBBS

Dr. Shivani Arora, General Physician with Over 10 Years of Experience Dr. Shivani Arora, an esteemed alumna of Dayanand Medical College, brings over 10 years of dedicated experience as a general physician. Currently Working at Pulselogy, Dr. Arora is well-versed in a wide range of medical fields, including obstetrics, gynecology, family medicine, and handling medical emergencies. She is also a specialist in managing diabetes and blood pressure. Her extensive background in renowned hospitals and clinics has equipped her with the expertise and compassion to provide exceptional care to her patients

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