Everything We Need to Know About Green Tea

How often do we drink green tea? This old Chinese beverage has a wide range of therapeutic benefits and is one of the healthiest drinks on the Planet. Some of the most popular benefits of this tea include improved concentration, a lean figure, and a good mood. However, how does green tea affect blood sugar levels? Should we drink it regularly or avoid it if we have high blood sugar? Here comes everything people need to know about green tea and diabetes.

Green Tea and Studies

A Japanese study shows that drinking at least 6 cups of green tea can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 33%. Another one discovered that drinking tea on a regular basis might reduce the risk of obesity. A group of participants had to drink green tea every day for ten years. The results showed they had reduced body fat and waist circumference.

Type 1

ECGC, or epigallocatechin gallate, is a flavonoid found in green tea which can help postpone the onset of type 1 diabetes. This was seen in a mice study published in the “British Journal of Nutrition.” What’s more, EGCG catechin can increase fat oxidation and support fat burn. It helps protect our vascular muscle cells from constant high blood glucose. Also, it alters the lipid and glucose metabolism in the body in a way that it’ll help us prevent this lifelong disease. The pancreas in a person with this condition produces little to no insulin, thus causing high blood glucose. But, some researchers say green tea can help stimulate the production of insulin which helps transform the ingested nutrients into energy, as well as control blood glucose. Moreover, the tea helps improve the function of the pancreas which is crucial in case of this chronic condition. It is even believed that green tea can help prevent damage to the pancreatic cells responsible for producing insulin.

Type 2

One 2013 study shows that drinking green tea regularly helps reduce A1C levels and fasting glucose levels. What’s more, the study shows the tea helps lower fasting insulin levels. In addition, green tea helps reduce the risk of dangerous complications such as cardiovascular disease (including stroke and heart attack), high LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Last but not least, we shouldn't forget that green tea helps prevent this condition. That’s because EGCG hinders the digestive enzymes, thus lowering the creation of glucose from carbs. Also, it helps prevent obesity by reducing our appetite and boosting our metabolism. Green tea helps prevent many diabetes complications Good Proper, especially catechins (including EGCG). For instance, it helps protect the vision and prevent eye disease, as well as protect heart health. According to studies, green tea helps prevent high cholesterol and blood pressure levels – major risk factors for heart disease. That’s because it contains 7 calcium channel blockers, ten beta-blocking compounds, and 16 diuretic compounds. Also, it's due to its ACE-inhibiting properties.

How to Drink Green Tea

Some researchers recommend drinking 4-5 cups of green tea a day for those with unstable blood sugar. That’s because a cup of green tea contains from 5 to 180 milligrams of polyphenols, and experts recommend a daily dose of 200mg-1000mg of polyphenols for maximum benefits. However, we shouldn't drink it with a sweetener, milk, or cream.