This Afternoon Beverage Break SLASHES Diabetes Risk
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted February 10, 2025
If you’re like most folks (and certain newsletter-writing doctors), you probably reach for another cup of coffee when the afternoon slump hits.
Well, new research suggests switching your afternoon beverage choice could do more than keep you alert… it could shield you from type 2 diabetes.
In fact, this simple drink swap could slash your diabetes risk by more than a quarter.
Let me spill the tea on this exciting discovery…
A new study published in Diabetologia uncovered something remarkable about one of the world’s oldest beverages.
Researchers found that folks who enjoy a daily cup of tea slashed their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by an impressive 28 percent compared to non-tea drinkers.
But that’s not all…
The study also revealed that regular tea drinkers were 15 percent less likely to develop prediabetes—a condition that often leads to full-blown type 2 diabetes.
Make it a fermented dark tea such as Pur-eh, and the reduced diabetes and prediabetes risk skyrockets to between 47 and 53 percent, respectively.
How does it work? The answer lies in how tea affects your body’s sugar processing.
The researchers discovered that tea helps your body excrete more glucose through urine. Think of it like opening an extra drain—the more glucose your body can flush out, the better it can control your blood sugar levels.
This process helps improve insulin resistance, a key factor in developing type 2 diabetes.
As a longtime coffee lover, I’ll admit that these findings (and others) were enough to make me change my afternoon routine. While I still enjoy my morning coffee, I’ve switched to tea in the afternoon.
The best part? Getting these benefits is as simple as brewing a daily cup of tea. You can make it a part of your afternoon (or morning) routine. Choose any variety you enjoy—just drink it without added sugars.
Tea isn’t a miracle cure, of course. But it IS an easy addition to your daily routine that could have significant health benefits.
P.S. Discover how eating at the RIGHT time could protect you from diabetes.
Source:
Li T, Sang M, Wang J, Sun Z, et al., Dark tea consumption is associated with a reduced risk of dysglycaemia and increased urinary glucose and sodium excretion in Chinese adults. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2024 Oct;26(10):4705-4712.
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.
View More Free Articles
Stop Obsessing Over Diet Trends
Can we stop with the endless diet debates already? Every other week there’s a new headline shouting about which diet is best for weight loss, heart health, or diabetes. Paleo, keto, low-carb, high-protein… it’s exhausting. And now, a new meta-analysis is out comparing the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and something called AHEI (that’s “Alternative...
A New Reason to Ditch Processed Junk
If you’ve ever walked the inside aisles of your local grocery store and thought, “This is all just junk,” your instincts were spot on. A new study published in the journal Thorax just added another red flag to the list of dangers linked to ultra-processed food—a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer. That’s right....
When Being Winded on Stairs Is Serious (And When It Isn’t)
I had an athlete visit me recently because he experienced shortness of breath while climbing stairs. He is in great shape, so he was worried about what it might mean. “Doc,” he said, “I run five miles three times a week. Why am I huffing and puffing after two flights of stairs?” His concern is...
Study EXPOSES Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Car
We think of our homes and cars as safe havens. But according to a startling new study, they may be flooding your lungs with microscopic plastic particles—every single day. Researchers in France recently found that adults inhale an average of 68,000 microplastic particles daily from indoor air alone. To put that in perspective, that’s about...
Mailbag: Is Modern Food Making You Snore?
“What can cause snoring, and is there a way to correct this issue?” —Seeking Silence Hi Seeking, Snoring happens when the soft tissues in your throat relax and vibrate as air passes through during sleep. While several factors can cause snoring—from sleep position to nasal congestion—I want to share one trigger that might surprise you....
Simple Food Swap SLASHES Dementia Risk 28%
Let’s be honest… who would jump at the chance to cut their dementia risk by 28 percent. And no, you don’t need to run marathons, survive on broccoli, or learn to play the zither (whatever that is) to make it happen. All it takes is one easy swap—something that’s probably already in your refrigerator. Researchers...
This SMART Floss Exposes Hidden Health Danger
Scientists have created dental floss that doesn’t just clean between your teeth—it also tracks your stress while you’re flossing. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Great—now even flossing is going to stress me out by telling me how stressed I am.” But this fascinating new tool from Tufts University could be a game-changer for understanding...
Is This "Safe" Sweetener Damaging Your Brain?
The headlines are alarming… “Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Brain Cell Damage” and “Erythritol Could Damage Critical Brain Barrier” are just two of the dozens I’ve spotted recently. But before you toss every sugar-free product in your pantry, let’s take a closer look at what this study actually shows—and what it doesn’t. The latest research...
This Summer Threat Could SPIKE Your Blood Sugar
Picture this… It’s another scorching hot summer day. You crank up the air conditioning while watching the weather forecast, which predicts yet another “record-breaking” heat wave. It’s starting to feel like just another miserably uncomfortable summer. But what you might not realize is that—if you have diabetes—those rising temps could do far more damage to...
Move Over Yogurt—5 Foods That Pack MORE Probiotics
Let’s talk about your gut. The microbiome is the collection of trillions of bacteria and other tiny organisms that live in and on your body—especially in your gut—and help keep you healthy. I’ve written often about how vital it is to maintain a healthy microbiome. And you might have dutifully added yogurt to your shopping...