Magazines

Subscribe to our print & digital magazines now

Subscribe

Can Green Tea Lower Blood Glucose Levels? Know From the Expert

Green tea is made from the fresh leaves of Camellia sinensis and has long been used for nutritional and therapeutic purposes, notably in Asian nations.

Updated on: 18 July, 2022 4:21 PM IST By: Kritika Madhukar
Dietician Mahima Raniwal says, one must prefer green tea over black tea as it has negligible amounts of caffeine and sugar

According to research, drinking green tea may not only help you lose weight but may also help you control your diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a major global public health issue that is expected to impact 693 million people by 2045. It is linked to negative health consequences such as heart attack, stroke, blindness, renal failure, and amputation, and it is one of the main risk factors for early death.

The study, which was based on a meta-analysis of 27 studies and was published in the journal Nutrition and Metabolism, found that drinking green tea had a positive effect on fasting blood glucose concentration.

Green tea consumption, on the other hand, did not affect fasting blood insulin or HbA1c - a test that assesses the amount of blood sugar (glucose) connected to hemoglobin.

A team from China's Huazhong University of Science and Technology reviewed the findings of 27 research involving 2,194 individuals. Green tea significantly reduced fasting blood glucose levels, according to the combined findings.

Even while short-term experiments revealed that green tea supplementation "substantially lowered fasting glucose," the team believes that long-term research investigating the effects of green tea supplementation on glycemic control is required.

It includes a number of useful substances, including antioxidants, vitamins, carbs, protein, minerals, and flavonoid-like polyphenols, which may help prevent diabetes.

Expert’s Opinion

According to Diabetes educator and Dietician of Sitaram Bhartia Institute of science and research, Mahima Raniwal, catechins present in green tea help in lowering blood sugar levels by decreasing the effect of insulin resistance in the body. It also increases insulin sensitivity in the body by promoting weight loss.

She further added that green tea slows the absorption of carbs and has anti-inflammatory effects as it contains polyphenols. It is also a great zero-calorie drink, one must prefer green tea over black tea as it has negligible amounts of caffeine and sugar.

Test Your Knowledge on International Day for Biosphere Reserves Quiz. Take a quiz