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It is rightly said, “Where there’s tea, there’s hope”. Tea is a part of our daily routine. For most of us, our mornings and evenings are incomplete without a cuppa. But when it comes to tea for diabetics, people have a lot of doubts. Many people fighting Type 2 diabetes are unsure whether tea is good for them or not.
Health Shots spoke to the well-known nutritionist and author Kavita Devgan to know about which teas are safe for diabetics.
Is milk tea for diabetics a good idea?
The normal way in which we consume tea with milk and sugar or maybe some artificial sweeteners is not really advisable for diabetics, according to Devgan. The reason behind it is that the animal milk that we use to prepare tea contains some IGF molecules which increase sugar. After that, if a person adds sugar to the tea, it further raises the level of sugar and the drink becomes unhealthy for a diabetes patient. If you’re diabetic, you may want to avoid milk-based teas. If you still want to have creamy tea, use plant-based milk such as almond milk instead of the animal variety.
Otherwise, we have more options to suggest:
5 teas for diabetics
1. Green tea
Devgan says green tea is a healthy option for diabetics as it contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG has been found to increase the uptake of glucose into muscle cells. It is also beneficial for weight loss because it has very minimal sugar and no calories. It can lead to weight loss, which has a positive effect on blood sugar levels.
According to a study published in Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, green tea may help reduce risk of type 2 diabetes. It was found to have a favourable effect on fasting blood glucose concentration. However, it was not so when it came to fasting blood insulin or HbA1c – a test that measures the amount of blood sugar (glucose) related to haemoglobin levels.
2. Ginger tea
Ginger is well-known for its benefits. Consuming up to 4 grams daily may help control insulin production and reduce blood sugar levels. Ginger tea leads to better glycemic control. Therefore, it is one of the best tonic to control your blood sugar levels.
3. Cinnamon tea
Adding a pinch of cinnamon to your cup of tea is good as that works to keep the blood sugar stable and keeps the food cravings away.
How to make cinnamon tea?
* Boil one cup of water in a kettle or other vessel of your choice
* Add a half teaspoon or less of cinnamon powder or crushed cinnamon to the water when it begins to boil
* Boil the water that has been powdered
* Then use a strainer to filter it in your favourite cup.
4. Turmeric tea
Curcumin, which is a primary component of turmeric, has also been shown to enhance the effects of diabetes treatments by helping to control insulin levels.
How to make turmeric tea?
* Slice a fresh turmeric root that is 1 inch long into thin pieces
* Mix one cup of water with turmeric
* Boil the mixture
* Leave it for 3-5 minutes
* Use a strainer and filter it in your favourite cup.
5. Chamomile tea
Consider consuming a cup or two of chamomile tea with your meal today, especially if you have diabetes. According to a recent study, tea may aid in preventing the emergence of diabetic problems such as eyesight loss, nerve damage and kidney damage.
How to make chamomile tea
Boil water in a kettle.
Once boiled, put the chamomile flowers in the kettle and keep it boiling.
After 4-5 minutes, turn off the gas.
Use strainer and filter the tea.
So, don’t let your craving for tea die just because you’re diabetic rather
try these healthy options.
