Green tea’s health benefits have long been heralded; from boosting metabolism, to improving mood, green tea is an excellent staple in the diet of virtually anyone. Consequently, it should come as no surprise that men and women with diabetes benefit greatly from imbibing at least one cup of green tea per day.
As a diabetic, here is what you need to know about green tea.
Not All Greens Are Created Equal
Bear in mind that not all green tea is created equal. A Starbucks Green Tea Frappuccino, while it may contain some green tea, boasts a whopping 30-48 grams of sugar, leaving it quite low on the list of preferred morning beverages. The green tea you might grab for a single dollar the local grocery store may have been fortified with some less-than-ideal ingredients, such as artificial preservatives and colorants.
Green tea alone (organic loose-leaf or in a tea bag, using filtered water), however, packs an impressive punch. Loaded with antioxidants and amino acids, green tea has the potential to not only help lower and regulate blood sugar, but has been linked to reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease, as well as boosting metabolism and warding off degenerative neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s.
How to Drink Green Tea for Maximum Benefits
Like coffee, green tea is best consumed without fillers or additives. This means that downing your morning tea with a tablespoon of sugar and a mountain of cream is not the ideal way. Instead, try to drink at least one cup in the morning, completely free of sugar, creamer, sweetener, or milk, after steeping for a minimum of 5 minutes. Although drinking green tea with your breakfast is not bad, some studies demonstrated a significant decrease in green tea’s health benefits when combined with other foods. To avoid this, consider drinking green tea first thing in the morning, then consuming a hearty breakfast.
Why Green Tea is Great For Diabetes
Although everyone can benefit from the antioxidants and metabolism-boosting components of green tea, individuals with diabetes benefit powerfully in the arena of blood sugar regulation. Several studies have indicated that drinking green tea stabilized blood sugar throughout the day, and led to a decrease of an individual’s fasting blood sugar levels.
One study found that consuming three cups of green tea per day resulted in a 40% reduction in the onset of diabetes, while those already diagnosed with the condition noticed less weight gain, better blood pressure levels, and more effective blood sugar control.
Whether you drink a single cup in the morning, or 3-5 cups throughout the day, green tea is a powerful tool to have in your arsenal.
[expand title=”References“]
NCBI (1), 3/13/17
Europe PMC, 3/13/17
NCBI (2), 3/13/17
Fitness Pal, 3/13/17
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