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It may seem like a challenge to figure out what to eat or drink to keep the blood sugar levels down, especially for those who suffer from type 2 diabetes. One drink has recently been reported to help keep blood sugar levels at bay.
Express reports that black tea, or oolong tea, has benefits for type 2 diabetics. This is because black tea promotes the use of insulin in the body. A test-tube study was conducted regarding this claim, showing what the compounds in tea can do for type 2 diabetics. The results revealed that black tea, in particular, increased insulin activity 15 times more.
However, tea, in general, contains polyphenols and a catechin referred to as epigallocatechin gallate, which helps improve the levels of insulin in the body. Professor Peter Clifton M.D, Ph.D., from the University of South Australia also stated that the polyphenols found in tea lower glycemic response and therefore may be the cause of lower diabetes rates from constant tea and coffee drinking.
Another study involving mice also came to the same results. The researchers in the study found that green and black tea both lowered their blood sugar levels and improved how the body would metabolize sugar.
Previously, Express also reported that fresh red onions also helped in lowering blood sugar. A study was conducted with 42 participants who have type 2 diabetes. The result revealed that eating 3.5 ounces or 100 grams of onions lowered their fasting blood sugar levels after meals by 40 mg/dl after a four-hour interval.
This is because of certain compounds found in onions, like sulfur and quercetin, have anti-diabetic properties. Noting further, quercetin is found to interact with the cells in the pancreas, small intestine, liver, and skeletal tissue in order to keep the blood sugar levels down.
Doctors still advise that diet and exercise is crucial when it comes to type 2 diabetes, or at least lowering the risk of developing the disease. A balanced diet low in saturated fat, salt, and sugar is ideal, with more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and oily fish. When it comes to exercise, getting 2.5 hours of physical activity a day is ideal.
