How does tea affect diabetes control?

There are many tea varieties to choose from, some of which offer unique health benefits.

Certain teas may be particularly beneficial for people with diabetes and help promote blood sugar control, reduce inflammation, and enhance insulin sensitivity — all of which are essential for diabetes management.

This article explains the benefits of tea for people with diabetes, lists the best teas to drink for diabetes control, and explains how to enjoy tea in the healthiest and safest way.

Consumed by over two-thirds of the global population, tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world (1Trusted Source).

There are many types of tea, including true teas made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, which include black, green, and oolong tea, and herbal teas, such as peppermint and chamomile tea (1Trusted Source).

Both true teas and herbal teas have been associated with a variety of health benefits due to the powerful plant compounds that they contain, and research has shown that some teas have properties that are particularly beneficial for people with diabetes.

Diabetes is a group of conditions characterized by chronically high blood sugar levels resulting from either the inadequate secretion of the blood-sugar-regulating hormone insulin, reduced sensitivity to insulin, or both (2Trusted Source).

For people with diabetes, tight blood sugar regulation is critical, and choosing foods and beverages that optimize healthy blood sugar control is key.

Opting for calorie-free or very low calorie beverages like unsweetened tea over sugary beverages like soda and sweetened coffee drinks is an excellent way to optimize diabetic control.

Plus, some tea varieties contain plant compounds that fight cellular damage and reduce inflammation and blood sugar levels, making them a great choice for people with diabetes (3Trusted Source).

What’s more, drinking unsweetened tea can help keep your body hydrated. Staying properly hydrated is essential for every bodily process, including blood sugar regulation.

In fact, research shows that dehydration is associated with high blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, highlighting the importance of regular fluid intake (4

SUMMARY

Certain teas contain compounds that may help optimize diabetic control. Plus, drinking tea can help you stay hydrated, which is essential for healthy blood sugar regulation.

Original article written by:

Written by Jillian Kubala, MS, RD on June 18, 2020 — Medically reviewed by Kathy W. Warwick, R.D., CDE

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/tea-for-diabetics