Diabetes, in simpler terms, is a chronic illness when the body cannot process glucose which results in having high blood sugar. According to the World Health Organization in 2016 diabetes is the 7th leading cause of mortality all over the world. Diabetes is a serious condition where one would be required to have a life-long medication, diet modification, and lifestyle adjustment. One of the health benefits of drinking tea is it helps lower down the blood sugar and reduces the risk of acquiring diabetes.
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What is Diabetes?
Diabetes can target anyone of any age, gender, and medical history. It is when a body cannot make or effectively use its insulin. Insulin works by opening the cells that allow the sugar (glucose) from the food you eat to enter, and the body then uses that glucose for energy. Individuals with diabetes, in turn, hinders the body from regulating their blood sugar and if left unchecked, this would lead to serious health complications as it wreaks havoc to their bodily systems pertaining to their eyes, hearts, kidneys, and nerves, among others.
Different kinds of diabetes
Type 1 diabetes – This is the most severe type of diabetes and is previously called juvenile diabetes because it commonly affects children and teenagers. It is an autoimmune disease, where the body’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, once the cells are destroyed, the body can no longer produce any insulin, and therefore, continuously building up the glucose in the blood.
Type 2 diabetes – This type is a milder version compared to type 1. This is the most common type of diabetes and affects older people aged 45 and above, who have a family history of diabetes, and those who are overweight. This is when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin to function properly or the body’s cells does not react to insulin.
Gestational diabetes – This is when a pregnant woman has high blood sugar within the course of the pregnancy, it is said that the sensitivity to insulin reverts back after giving birth.
Prediabetes – It is when an individual’s blood sugar is borderline high but has not reached the level of being diabetic. Acquiring diabetes can still be prevented at this point.
How Tea Can Help With Diabetes?
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) endorses this zero to low-calorie drink to help those with diabetes avoid its unpleasant side effects, manage symptoms, and maintain a healthy weight. And tea, unsweetened that is, ranks second only to water as the top beverage for those who the insulin-challenged. Armed with polyphenols, this brewed concoction from the East can jumpstart the production of insulin in their bodies and regulate blood sugar.
As with everything in life though, not all teas are created equal. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are among the most popular variants that increase insulin activity. Herbal teas, on the other hand, like ginseng tea, bilberry tea, aloe vera tea, and sage tea help maintain the body’s blood sugar level.
Health Risks of Drinking Tea for Diabetes
Hyperglycemia, or what is commonly known as the diabetes of having high blood sugar also has its counterpart called hypoglycemia. It is when the blood sugar of a diabetic is lower than the ideal level. This is, therefore, another risk the diabetics face – too much insulin medication or incorrect dosage may result in hypoglycemia. Similar to drinking tea, although proven to be effective in lowering blood sugar, drinking too much tea may also lead to low blood sugar.
Green Tea for Diabetes
Green Tea contains epigallocatechin-3-gallate or EGCG, a catechin or natural antioxidant that aids in preventing cell damage, the EGCG also helps lower the blood sugar by imitating the actions of insulin and inhibiting the liver’s production of glucose. Hailed as one of the healthiest beverages on the planet this tea is loaded with antioxidants that improve brain functions, stimulate fat loss, protect against cancers, lower blood pressure and of course, reduce the risk of diabetes.
Gymnema Green Tea For Diabetics
The Gymnema Green Tea is loaded with Gymnema Sylvestre, a vine which is known as a “sugar destroyer.” A green tea infused with an herb trusted by ancient Indian herbal doctors for 2000 years, this drink is 100% natural, safe, and without side effects; making it the perfect choice as a dietary supplement for diabetics.
Black Tea for Diabetes
Touted as the most consumed beverage in the world next to water, the black tea has a stronger flavor and contains the highest amount of caffeine than other tea. Packed with polyphenols like green tea, black tea has been found to increase insulin activity more than 15-fold over other stimulants.
Bai Iced Tea, Supertea Variety Pack
The Bai Supertea is a low-calorie brewed drink that is infused with antioxidants from black tea and white tea. Only 5 calories and 1 gram of sugar per serving, this set comes in 4 flavors Paraguay Passionfruit Tea, Narino Peach Tea, Rio Raspberry Tea, and Tanzania Lemon Tea – it will satisfy the sweet cravings and it makes a great alternative for soft drinks.
Rooibus Tea for Diabetes
The Rooibus tea is a South African blend that is sweet, nutty, and aromatic. Also equipped with polyphenols, this variant helps the body by decreasing its resistance to insulin and keeps it in check for type 2 diabetes.
Twinings of London Pure Rooibos Herbal Red Teabags
The Rooibos Tea Teabags is the perfect caffeine-free alternative to coffee. Brewed hot or cold, this naturally sweet drink is the healthy substitute to sugar-loaded sodas that the whole family can enjoy.
Mulberry Tea for Diabetes
Mulberry Tea’s most unique quality is its ability to reduce blood glucose in people with type 2 diabetes. When consumed, the extract from the mulberry prevents sugars from entering the bloodstream. And because of its effectiveness in blocking excessive glucose in the body, this tea variant helps prevent and fight diabetes.
Bravo Tea & Herbs – Sugar Level Tea
Bravo Tea Sugar Level Herbal Tea with White Mulberry combines the wisdom of Traditional Eastern Herbalism with Bravo Farm’s sustainable organic farming process. Crafted from a time-honored formula of mulberry leaves and other herbs, this healthy blend is designed to maintain healthy urine and blood sugar levels. This mulberry tea is infused with jasmine, giving it a flowery aroma and refreshing sweet taste.
Bitter Melon Tea for Diabetes
Derived from the bitter gourd, the bitter melon tea is loaded with an array of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is a popular organic treatment for those with high blood sugar as the properties in the bitter melon act as an insulin and helps convert the excess glucose to energy. Not everyone can enjoy eating this with their meals which makes the tea version a more convenient way to consume and take advantage of the health benefits of the bitter melon. It even contains high antioxidant properties that protect and detoxify the kidneys.
Organic Bitter Melon Tea
The Organic Bitter Melon Tea is an earthy and unique variant packed with amazing health benefits. Crafted without artificial flavors, preservatives, or additives; this tea is a wonderful addition to a repertoire of healing teas. The bitter taste may take a while to get used to, but it is a great palate cleanser especially after every meal. One cup a day will already make a big difference to your sugar level.
Aloe Vera Tea for Diabetes
Long been used as a herbal medicine, the aloe vera is loaded with vitamins and minerals. Considered as a prized ingredient in the world of Ayurveda, researchers have found that it is also useful in fighting signs of type 2 diabetes and in lowering the onset of the disease for those exhibiting symptoms of prediabetes.
Tadin Tea Aloe Vera With Cactus
The Tadin Tea Aloe Vera with Cactus is a powerful combination of two herbs. It is a diabetic tea that aids in controlling blood sugar, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol. To enhance its taste, honey may be added to make it sweeter and it is best to drink it hot twice a day.
Oolong Tea for Diabetes
Having been derived from the same leaves as the green tea and black tea, the Oolong Tea gives the same health benefits as its more popular “siblings.” The difference lies, however, in how they are processed. If the black tea is fully fermented, green tea not-so, the Oolong is the “perfect middle child.” Steeped with polyphenols and large amounts of high antioxidants, this variant also lowers blood sugars, helps in maintaining a healthy weight, and prevents type 2 diabetes.
Teas’ Tea Organic Golden Oolong Tea
Iced teas are not always the sweet-lemony tea we’re more familiar with. This unsweetened Golden Oolong Tea is a ready-to-drink bottled tea that can be enjoyed chilled or even warmed. Oolong tea also helps with weight loss, and having an ideal weight is one way to prevent or maintain diabetes.
Teas to Avoid for Diabetes
As much as there is a smorgasbord of healing and health-giving brews, it is still best to be conscious of their individual properties and their compatibility with one’s body chemistry and medication. Please note that all teas should be taken moderately. Below are some teas that should be avoided:
Instant powdered iced tea
The standard one-cup serving of Lipton Instant Iced Tea contains 17 grams of sugar, for a healthy individual, you would need to run for 7 minutes to burn the 70 calories in that serving alone. While there are diet iced teas available it may contain sugar substitutes such as aspartame or sucralose.
Ready-to-Drink Bottled Tea
If you’re simply craving for something cold, do the extra steps from steeping a teabag then letting the tea cool in the refrigerator or wait until it’s room temperature before adding ice. Avoid ready-to-drink bottled iced tea, they may seem to be a healthier alternative to sodas but they often contain high amounts of sugar as well. For example, a 23-ounce can of Arizona Peach Tea has 69 grams of sugars, an 18.5-ounce bottle of Pure Leaf Sweet Tea has 42 grams of sugars, and a 16 ounce of Snapple Half ‘n Half has 51 grams of sugars.
Black Tea
Black tea does have its great effects on lowering blood sugar, however, if one has other pre-existing medical conditions aside from diabetes which requires medication, black tea is said to interfere or reduce the effects of certain types of medicine. On the other hand, some medications are also said to have a stronger or longer effect on the body when mixed with caffeine.
Boba Milk Tea
The boba milk tea hype is not as healthy as you think. It contains a high amount of sugar, the basic green or black tea with fructose already contains 54 grams of sugar per 16-ounce, surprisingly, a little more than Coca-Cola which only contains 52 grams sugar per 16-ounce.
According to the International Diabetes Foundation, 1-in-11 adults already have diabetes. Approximately 415 million people in the world are insulin-deficient and with the rate, many more are most likely to be added to that list. Drinking tea started as a medication for ancient civilizations, it has always been used to heal different illnesses. Prevention is always better than cure, avoid a sedative lifestyle and drink a cup of tea to prevent acquiring diabetes and other chronic illnesses.
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