Is Green Tea Good or Bad for People With Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition that occurs due to an increase in blood sugar levels. People with diabetes live their lives intending to control these levels. In addition to medical therapy, diet and lifestyle changes play an important role in managing blood sugar levels. The meals one eats should be low in calories or carbohydrates, and the fluids one drinks should have zero or extremely few calories. So, is green tea good for people with diabetes? Well, yes. Green tea is an excellent example of a beverage that meets all the requirements of a perfect drink for people with diabetes.

Green tea is derived from Camellia sinensis leaves and buds. It is produced by a different withering and oxidation process than that of oolong teas or black teas. The production and manufacture of green tea originated in China. Since then, it has spread to other countries in East Asia. Different kinds of green tea exist, varying according to the type of C Sinensis used, the growing conditions, the horticultural methods, the production processes, and the harvesting time. 

Green tea is a highly nutritious beverage with no added sugar, is low in calories, and is high in antioxidants, flavonoids, and polyphenols. It has even been scientifically proven to be useful in managing the symptoms of diabetes mellitus and also demonstrated that green tea improves overall physical well-being. One such study, published in the Journal of Diabetes and Metabolism, detailed the potential advantages of tea for diabetes. Researchers found that tea drinkers who consumed six cups or more of green tea everyday had an 83 percent lower chance of developing Type 2 diabetes than those who consumed less than a cup.

Health Benefits of Green Tea for Diabetes

There are multiple green tea benefits for diabetes. In light of these benefits, the answer to the question, "is green tea good for diabetics?" is yes. These health benefits include: 

1. Increases Insulin Production: When a person develops Type 1 diabetes, the body's ability to create insulin becomes compromised. According to some research, green tea may boost your body's insulin production, which will subsequently manage your sugar levels and convert the nutrients from the food you just ate into energy. Furthermore, green tea will assist your body in optimising the functioning of the pancreas, which is necessary for insulin production. Green tea may also protect pancreatic beta cells from injury.
2. Managing Hyperglycemia: Diabetes is caused primarily by high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) along with glucose intolerance. If hyperglycemia is not controlled, it causes oxidative stress, leading to complications such as diabetic r/etinopathy. If you do not treat diabetic retinopathy as soon as possible, it will lead to blindness and deafness.
3. Catechins in Green Tea Reduce Body Fat: Green tea is rich in specific flavonoids known as EGCG catechins, which assist in the burning of excessive fat in the body. Diabetes is frequently caused by an excess of fat in the body. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) enhances glucose tolerance, therefore helping prevent Type 1 diabetes. Furthermore, these catechins protect against Type 2 diabetes.
4. Boosts Metabolism: Green tea consumption reduces the synthesis of adrenaline hormone, which can induce a spike in blood sugar levels. Green tea is well-known for its capacity to accelerate metabolism and strengthen your immune system, which means that your brain has more energy and blood to work with. This soothing atmosphere will keep you from experiencing tension, despair, or symptoms of anxiety. People with diabetes will benefit greatly from reduced stress levels.
5. Anti-Diabetic Effects of Green Tea Polyphenols: The polyphenols present in green tea are an excellent source of antioxidants known for their anti-diabetic effects. These qualities help to reduce oxidative damage and improve glucose tolerance. As a result, the polyphenols in green tea can help you regulate your diabetes.

How Much Green Tea Should You Drink If You Have Diabetes?

If you thinking of having green tea but confused about how much to intake and having questions like 'how much green tea should a diabetic drink?' Here is the answer for it

Diabetes and green tea: Drinking modest volumes of green tea daily is an excellent place to start; 3–5 cups is generally the best choice for getting the most benefits. Green tea should never be sweetened. As a last option, use other sweeteners – stevia is the preferred option. Green tea has a tiny amount of caffeine, around 25 mg, so keep track of how you feel after drinking it. Fortunately, decaf green tea is also available. You should also avoid packaged tea since its strength and quality are lower than loose tea.

Making The Most Of Green Tea For Diabetes

Health experts recommend that people who have diabetes need to consume at least 4–5 cups of green tea a day. Drink it without any milk, sugar, or cream to be healthy. The best time to drink green tea for diabetes is in the morning. Unsweetened green tea is more nutritious. You may add some lemon juice or mint leaves to make it taste better. The steeping time for green tea should not exceed 2–3 minutes; otherwise, the tea will taste bitter. Also, to maximise the health benefits of green tea, choose loose leaves rather than tea bags. 

It is always advisable to adapt to a healthy lifestyle with certain modifications to enhance the reduction in the level of blood sugar. Some of these activities include exercising regularly, eating the right food to keep yourself fit and strong, and taking your medicines on time. It is always advisable to quit smoking and cut down on alcohol consumption. Also, the best time to drink green tea for diabetes with gastric difficulties is in the evening.

Also read about how to prevent diabetes

Bottomline

The main approach in the management of diabetes is to consult your physician and prepare a treatment plan. Apart from medical management, a balanced and healthy diet and lifestyle modification play a significant role in the journey of diabetes control and high blood sugar management. So, can people with diabetes drink green tea? Yes, Green tea serves as an essential adjunct to your healthy lifestyle and complements the reduction of blood sugar levels. It also aids in managing other symptoms of diabetes and improves the overall health of the body. Also know about reversing type 2 diabetes.

FAQ's

Does green tea lower blood sugar?

Yes, studies have indicated that green tea may help reduce blood sugar levels. According to studies, green tea's polyphenols and catechins may help control blood sugar levels by enhancing insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism.

Is green tea good for diabetes type 1?

Although it is not a treatment for type 1 diabetes and shouldn't be used in place of insulin or other prescribed treatments, green tea may have health benefits for people who have the illness.

Is green tea good for diabetics type 2?

Those with type 2 diabetes may benefit from drinking green tea. In particular, it has been demonstrated that the polyphenols and catechins in green tea lower oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance, all of which can contribute to the onset and development of type 2 diabetes.