CAN GREEN TEA REALLY HELP WITH DIABETES?

Research has shown that it may.  While green tea offers many health benefits, studies have shown they are particularly helpful for those battling diabetes.  


How Can Green Tea Help Optimize Blood Sugar Levels


Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels are too high. Green tea contains a compound called epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG.  EGCG has been shown to stimulate the intake of glucose into skeletal muscle cells, reducing the amount of sugar in the blood.

 

A 2013 review of 17 studies that included 1,133 subjects, some with and without diabetes, found that green tea intake significantly reduced fasting blood sugar levels and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), a marker of long-term blood sugar control.

Other studies have even shown a correlation between the amount of green tea consumed and the risk levels of developing the disease in the first place.  Meaning, the more the subjects, particularly women, drank green tea the less likely they were to get diabetes.

Green Tea: A Magical Elixir?

While research has shown that green tea has many health benefits, one should not conflate those properties for a fix all elixir.  Good dieting practices coupled with exercise or regular physical activity should be at the core of anyone's balance healthy life choice.  And sure, some green tea may just give your healthy regimen an extra boost.

Don’t forget to limit yourself to unsweetened teas and to pick a natural sweetener like honey, a low glycemic index alternative to sugar that also contains antioxidant properties.

Since certain teas may interact with diabetes medication you should consult with your doctor before adding them to your diet