Home Articles Health advice

Worldwide, nearly 285 million adults have diabetes with almost 24 million in the US alone. The problems however don’t just end with the escalating numbers. Today, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the country, along with it contributing to the growing incidences of heart disease, circulation problems, renal failure, and blindness. The situation is not all bleak though. The good news is that type-2 diabetes can be prevented. Though genetics and a family history of the disease play a large role in the development of this type of diabetes, studies show that nine people out of ten can prevent diabetes by making some simple lifestyle changes. These behavioral changes include losing weight, getting regular exercise, eating a healthy balanced diet and not smoking or drinking.

In addition to these everyday changes, doctors and scientists are constantly in search of natural substances that may prove effective in the treatment and prevention of diabetes. One such item that has recently come under the spotlight for its potential in reducing the risk of type-2 diabetes is tea. Several studies have been conducted on the effects of drinking tea on diabetes. In 2009, an analysis of nine different studies concluded that four cups of black tea a day might help reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes. Other studies indicated that while green tea may be responsible for preventing diabetes, it is black tea that helps with the management of the disease and may help ease the problems associated with living with diabetes. Other findings regarding tea and its effect on diabetes include:

• Black tea may be effective in preventing diabetes in people who are susceptible to the disease due to hereditary or dietary reasons.
• It is believed that black tea can help in the prevention of type-2 diabetes as it contains high levels of polysaccharides. Polysaccharides are responsible for the reduction of glucose levels in the body and may help reduce high blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
• It was recently discovered that there are chemicals present in black tea that can mimic the action of insulin in the body. However, since this study was only conducted in a lab setting, further investigation is needed to understand the actual effects of black tea on blood sugar regulation.
• Black tea is also believed to help improve blood circulation in the body by expanding the size of the arteries. In this way, drinking black tea can help reduce the risk of diabetes related health conditions such as heart attacks and stroke.
• If you drink black tea regularly, you increase your basal metabolic rate resulting in calories and fat being burnt faster. This helps individuals who need to lose weight and prevent the onset of obesity-related diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.

While black tea is safe for most people, just like everything else in life, moderation is crucial. More than five cups a day and the caffeine in your tea cup (yes its here too) may make you bounce off the walls and lead to an array of not so pleasant symptoms such as heartburn, nervousness, insomnia, diarrhea, and headaches. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also down their cups of tea with some caution as too much tea has been linked with an increased risk of miscarriages and low birth weight. And remember, tea should be drunk without milk, cream and sugar to maximize its benefits. It is also worth repeating that people should not start chugging black tea thinking that it will cure them of diabetes. Research being conducted on the effects of tea on diabetes is still in the nascent stages and more in depth studies are required before your doctor can start recommending tea as a cure all for the disease. Instead, experts suggest that you keep taking your medications and insulin until more conclusive evidence about the benefits of black tea is found. Above all - stay fit and stay active - and diabetes can be kept at bay.

References:

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/preventing-diabetes-full-story/

J Ethnopharmacol. 1995 Mar;45(3):223-6.
Anti-hyperglycemic effect of black tea (Camellia sinensis) in rat.

Gomes A, Vedasiromoni JR, Das M, Sharma RM, Ganguly DK.
Division of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Calcutta.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.