For centuries, tea has remained to be one of the most consumed beverages in the world. It began with the belief of ancient medication that teas can treat illnesses and it is beneficial to the body. One of the most popular tea variants is green tea because it helps improve metabolism, aids in the battle against cancer, and prevents and manages diabetes.
Table of Contents
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus, also known as diabetes, is a type of disease that impedes the body’s processing of blood sugar. Insulin is the hormone responsible for controlling our body’s blood sugar level, and with diabetes, the body is either unable to produce sufficient insulin or cannot effectively utilize the insulin it has produced. Because of the scarcity in insulin, it results in high blood sugar which can damage our organs and tissues. Managing this condition is crucial as it can lead to complications like heart disease, heart attack, stroke, loss of vision, kidney failure, and skin infections.
Types of Diabetes
There are 4 main types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, Gestational Diabetes, and Prediabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease wherein the body is unable to produce insulin. It is usually diagnosed from childhood to young adulthood, but it can sometimes develop even in middle to late adulthood. People who have type 1 diabetes are insulin-dependent.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body is unable to make enough insulin or unable to utilize the insulin that it produces properly.
Meanwhile, Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy when the body can become less sensitive to insulin. This is usually caused by the hormones being produced in the placenta which makes it harder for the body to utilize insulin.
Lastly, prediabetes is when the blood sugar is abnormally high, but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms
The symptoms of diabetes may include excessive appetite, excessive thirst, frequent urination, unintentional weight loss, blurred vision, and exhaustion. Wound and sores tend to heal slowly and infections are also likely to recur because the capacity of our body to heal itself is hampered by the elevated glucose levels.
Management
Diabetes is a life-altering condition and one should adjust their lifestyle to fully adapt and manage this chronic illness. It may be recommended to regularly monitor the blood glucose levels and reduce glucose intake. This also goes to show that one should have a balanced, low sugar diet.
How Can Green Tea Help with Diabetes?
Green tea contains polyphenols that help the body metabolize sugar. The polyphenols in green tea also help in reducing oxidative stress, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure. Catechin, a type of antioxidant found in green tea, helps reduce the effects of insulin resistance by aiding in the carbohydrates’ absorption and metabolism. Because of this, catechins are effective in preventing the occurrence of complications brought about by diabetes.
In addition, chronic conditions like diabetes bring us additional stress and anxiety due to the management and lifestyle changes that had to be done. Fortunately, green tea contains L-theanine – an amino acid that brings the mind and the body a calming effect. It can soothe one’s mind and body during taxing times.
Although green tea has plenty of benefits in the body, it is not enough to fully regulate and manage the sugar and cholesterol levels in the body. It should still be complemented with a balanced diet and frequent exercise.
How Green Tea Help Manage Blood Sugar Levels
According to past research, drinking green tea is associated with a decrease in A1C and fasting glucose levels, which are commonly used as measurements for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes.
Other Health Benefits of Green Tea
Supports Weight Loss
As we age, the metabolism slows down which may result in gaining weight faster compared to when we were younger. Green tea may help speed up metabolism and increase fat burning.
Helps in Weight-Loss
It is essential for people with type 2 diabetes to change their diet, monitor their calorie and sugar intake, and properly lose weight to manage their symptoms and lessen the risks of complications. This is why green tea is a great addition to this regimen.
Green tea is recommended especially to people with diabetes because it said to help our metabolic system to function better. In addition, since it has zero calories and has a very little amount of sugar, it is perfect for those who are still adjusting their diet and are looking for an aromatic beverage that they can enjoy minus the calorie guilt.
Provides Energy Boost and Calming Effect
Having a chronic disease like diabetes can also affect one’s mood and mental health. Studies have shown that people afflicted with diabetes also tend to experience depression, frequent mood swings, and anxiety. Since green tea contains a minimal amount of caffeine, it can give us the energy boost usually brought by caffeine. This energy boost can offer substantial help to those who have been experiencing both diabetes and depression. This can give them the right amount of energy enough to enable them to walk, relax, and exercise. At the same time, green tea also has L-theanine which can reduce the anxiety and stress experienced by people with diabetes.
Reduces Risks of Developing Complications and Other Chronic Diseases
The rich level of antioxidants found in green tea greatly benefits our body especially when it comes to helping reduce the risks of acquiring diabetes and other complications associated with it like heart diseases and stroke. These antioxidants also give green tea its anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and cholesterol-lowering properties which can help us avoid developing other chronic diseases.
Preserves Brain Health
Green tea helps support brain health and protect from deterioration. The catechin compounds found in green tea may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Blocks Hallitosis
The catechins in green tea prevents growth of bacteria and infection. A cup of green tea blocks the plaque formation causing tooth decay and bad breath.
Improves Eyesight and Protects from Deterioration
Green tea is rich in gallocatechin which protects the eyes from harmful blue light. Also, there are types of antioxidant properties in green tea such as zeaxanthin and lutein that are beneficial for the eyes.
How Much Green Tea Should You Drink for Diabetes?
There are conflicting opinions as to how many cups of green tea one should consume for it to be efficient in managing diabetes. In a population study conducted in Japan, adults who drank 6 or more cups of green tea daily are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes as compared to those who drank less than a cup of green tea per week. Meanwhile, others suggest that 3 to 5 cups a day is enough to experience its benefits.
It is advised that you consult first with your physician before drinking any type of green tea. This is also to ensure that you will not have any side effects or allergic reactions to it. Once you have ensured that you are safe to drink this, always remember to drink in moderate amounts and avoid using sweeteners. It is also recommended to brew loose tea leaves than using tea bags for you to get the maximum benefits of green tea.
Health Risk of Drinking Green Tea for Diabetes
Drinking green tea has been proven to help lower glucose, however, for those who are in the pre-diabetes stage or just borderline high blood sugar, regularly consuming large amounts of green tea may lead to low blood sugar or hypoglycemia.
There are also rare cases reported where consumption of green tea led to kidney and liver problems, this may lead to a more severe situation for diabetics who are in medication maintenance.
Recommended Green Tea Products for Diabetes
Gymnema Green Tea For Diabetics
Gymnema Sylvestre is one of the main ingredients of this tea, it has long been recognized by herbalists as one of the most beneficial herbs for diabetics. It has also been formulated with other selected herbs such as Psidium Guajava, Gynostemma Pentaphyllum, and Ganoderma Lucidum – all of which are diabetics-friendly. Each box contains 100 tea bags. This tea has no caffeine, gluten, or other artificial additives which is perfect for those who are strictly managing their food and drink intake.
GlucoBlocker Gymnema Green Tea
Like the previous Gymnema Green Tea, GlucoBlocker brand is yet another green tea product that has Gymnema as its primary ingredient. This green tea product helps regulate blood sugar, reduce lipid, prevent diabetes, and adiposity. It also has no caffeine content, gluten, or other artificial additives. Each box contains 20 tea bags.
Impra Green Jasmine Tea
This tea combines in every bag the goodness of Ceylon Green tea and the floral flavor of Jasmine. Jasmine green tea is rich in polyphenols called catechins. It has been found to have many health benefits in the body that is brought about by its antioxidant properties. Some of its benefits include strengthening our immune system to battle different kinds of infections and lowering the risks of acquiring chronic diseases such as diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. In each box, you can enjoy 100 tea bags.
Diabetes is a serious and chronic medical condition that needs to be constantly managed. Failing to monitor cholesterol levels, sugar levels, and blood pressure can lead to complications that can seriously hamper our daily lives like developing heart disease and stroke. Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to prevent and manage diabetes like exercising and keeping a balanced diet.
In addition, it would not hurt to supplement this regimen by drinking healthy beverages like green tea. Because of its polyphenols, green tea can help regulate the glucose levels in our body, thereby decreasing the risk of developing diabetes and increasing the likelihood of managing the said condition. This is proof that a delicious beverage like green tea is not only meant to quench our cravings, it can also be beneficial to our bodies at the same time.
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