Down A Daily Mug of Diabetes Prevention
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted November 1, 2023
Long-time readers will know that I LOVE my coffee. But, by no means am I a tea hater.
Coffee is indeed my go-to morning brew. But tea is my afternoon break beverage of choice.
Sipping a hot cuppa is a comforting ritual for tea lovers like me.
However, emerging research reveals that one particular kind of tea isn’t JUST soothing.
It provides unique health benefits, ESPECIALLY for folks battling blood sugar problems.
All the teas you drink START as green tea. But after the leaves are allowed to oxidize and are fully fermented, you get the most commonly consumed type of tea in the West… black tea.
Some of the most popular black teas are blends you’ve likely heard of, such as Darjeeling, Assam, English Breakfast, and Earl Grey. The Chinese refer to these as “red tea” (hong cha) because of the reddish color of the brews.
But you may NOT be familiar with “dark tea” (hei cha). Dark teas like the popular pu’erh go through a post-production microbial fermentation process.
This process INCREASES their levels of unique bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, free amino acids, polyphenols, and polysaccharides.
Like all teas, dark teas have bunches of health benefits. However, their unique fermentation process gives them potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Plus, research found the powerful plant nutrients in dark tea, in particular, may be especially good at regulating blood sugar and reducing insulin resistance.
The study presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes found that, compared to non-tea drinkers, people who drank dark tea daily had an incredible…
- 53 percent lower risk of prediabetes
- 47 percent lower risk of type 2 diabetes
The kidneys of folks with diabetes typically absorb more glucose, preventing them from peeing it out and raising their blood sugar as a result. However, the researchers found regular tea drinkers (no matter the type) excrete MORE glucose in their urine.
And this effect was strongest in dark tea drinkers.
The polyphenols in the tea (thearubigins in black teas and theabrownins in dark teas) may also contribute to better blood sugar by activating insulin and blocking digestive enzymes that release sugar into the bloodstream.
Other studies have also linked daily tea drinking with lower fasting blood sugar levels and hemoglobin A1C in people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
But beyond better blood sugar control, the antioxidants in tea could also protect against diabetic retinopathy, kidney disease, heart damage, and other complications of uncontrolled diabetes.
While not a cure, incorporating a few cups of black or dark tea into your daily routine may improve your blood sugar and overall health.
The fountain of youth may be no further away than your teapot! Just be mindful of added sugars.
P.S. Ancient tea ERASES your anxiety.
Source:
Li et al. “Tea consumption is associated with increased urinary glucose excretion, improved insulin resistance and reduced risk of dysglycaemia, in Chinese community-dwelling adults.” EASD Annual Meeting 2023
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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