Tea is an elixir of life. It can be a great option to stay hydrated. Low in calories and free from processed sugar, tea is a healthy alternative to sugary beverages and fruit juices. Even better, many herbal teas contain ingredients that can help with the symptoms of diabetes.
Tea has many health benefits, making it a great all-rounder for anyone who wants to care for their wellbeing. Regarding diabetes, Croton gratissimus herbal tea infusion may be helpful as part of a diabetes management plan.
The relationship between Croton gratissimus herbal tea infusion and type 2 diabetes risk has been studied. The results suggest it can reduce blood sugar levels and increase insulin sensitivity.
Research, in a new study, said Croton gratissimus herbal tea infusion contains ingredients that can help the uptake of glucose into cells of the body, therefore reducing blood sugar levels and supporting its local usage as a potential agent to lower glucose levels in the blood and to lose weight.
Croton gratissimus, commonly called ‘Ajekobale’ in Yoruba, is widely used in traditional medicine to treat a range of conditions, including malaria, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, urinary tract infections, gonorrhoea, and impotence.
When foods with carbohydrates are taken and are digested, they are broken down into sugar, or glucose. In response to this process, the pancreas releases insulin to help cells absorb glucose as cellular fuel. In individuals with diabetes, this process is hindered.
People with type 2 diabetes have cells that are not responsive to insulin, a process known as insulin resistance. This, and the fact that the pancreas often stops releasing enough insulin, makes their blood sugar levels difficult to manage.
In the study, C. gratissimus significantly inhibited the enzymes that aid digestion of dietary carbohydrates and starches to produce glucose for intestinal absorption and also the enzyme responsible for the breakdown of fats in food, in a dose-dependent way. It was in the journal, Plants-Basel.
Inhibition of carbohydrate digestive enzymes is a desirable mechanism for controlling an increase in the glucose level in the bloodstream after eating a meal, which has been used to develop antidiabetic drugs such as acarbose.
There was a significant increase in the glucose uptake in yeast cells incubated with increasing concentrations of C. gratissimus tea, even at a better activity than metformin used as the standard drug in this test.
The ability of C. gratissimus tea to inhibit the formation of incessant high blood sugar levels also makes it possible to have a protective effect against the development of diabetes-induced complications.
Several studies have shown that people who drink teas, including some herbal ones, may be less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than people who don’t drink tea at all.
A study that looked at how often participants drank black, green, and oolong tea found that people who drank at least four cups of tea daily were 17 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than individuals who consumed little or no tea.
The report presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes annual meeting in Stockholm added that drinking one to three cups of tea was associated with a 4 percent lower risk of diabetes.
Polyphenols, natural substances found in caffeinated and herbal teas, are antioxidants that can reduce cell damage associated with diabetes. And catechins, a type of polyphenol in green tea, might help control blood sugar.
Chamomile tea has also been associated with improved insulin sensitivity and glucose management and may help to reduce oxidative stress in the body.” A study published in 2018 found that when study participants with type 2 diabetes consumed chamomile tea three times a day (after each meal) for eight weeks, researchers saw benefits in both insulin resistance and inflammatory markers.
Furthermore, research involving animals showed that daily chamomile tea consumption may help slow down or prevent the progress of complications that can come along with diabetes, though more studies in humans are needed.
Hibiscus tea may provide benefits for heart health. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, having diabetes means a higher likelihood of developing heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
However, drinking 8 ounces of hibiscus tea twice daily was found to reduce systolic blood pressure in individuals with diabetes in a one-month period, which is especially good news for this population, as they are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
The calming effects of peppermint tea may be beneficial for individuals with type 2 diabetes. Reduced stress can often improve blood glucose levels. In one study from 2009, researchers found that the peppermint aroma from the tea helped reduce anxiety, frustration, and fatigue for drivers exposed to the scent.
Whatever the tea choice, drinking unsweetened tea is best for everyone’s health, especially those with altered blood sugar control. To add some flavour to the tea without adding sugar, try a squeeze of lemon or a dash of cinnamon.
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