A recent study has found that individuals who consume this beverage daily have a significantly lower risk of developing diabetes compared to those who do not.
According to medical literature, consuming foods such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and oats can help prevent the risk of diabetes. However, a new study published in the journal Diabetologia on October 3, 2023, discovered that drinking a cup of black tea daily may also help control blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of developing prediabetes as well as type 2 diabetes.
Difference Between Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes
Prediabetes is a warning sign that the body is unable to effectively process glucose (sugar) in the blood, leading to elevated blood sugar levels, but still lower than what is considered type 2 diabetes.
Drinking a cup of black tea daily may help control blood sugar levels.
On the other hand, type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance, making it difficult for the body to use glucose for energy. In other words, insulin acts like a “key” that “unlocks” cells to allow glucose to enter and be converted into energy. However, when the body experiences insulin resistance, the cells remain “locked,” preventing glucose from entering, causing it to accumulate in the blood and leading to various health issues.
How Black Tea Helps Prevent Diabetes
Black tea is a type of tea that has undergone fermentation. Therefore, the chemical components of fresh tea leaves can be transformed to create the color, flavor, and unique characteristics of black tea.
In the aforementioned study, scientists monitored the health of 1,923 individuals aged between 20-80. 59% of the participants had normal blood sugar levels, 23% had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and 18% had prediabetes. Participants were asked about their tea consumption frequency (never, occasionally, regularly, and daily) as well as the type of tea they consumed (green tea, black tea, or other types).
The researchers examined the impact of the type of tea and the frequency of tea consumption on glucose excretion through urine. In individuals with diabetes, kidney function often operates inefficiently, leading to glucose being retained in the blood instead of being excreted through urine.
The results indicated that those who drank black tea daily excreted more glucose through urine. This is a sign that their bodies could eliminate glucose more effectively. Daily black tea drinkers had a 53% lower risk of prediabetes and a 47% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those who never drank black tea.
The researchers explained that the fermentation process of black tea could produce unique compounds with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, improving insulin sensitivity, enhancing pancreatic function, and positively altering gut microbiota. Additionally, drinking black tea is associated with increased glucose excretion in urine and reduced insulin resistance, thus helping the body control blood sugar better.
Black tea has benefits similar to those of diabetes medication.
Dr. Tongzhi Wu from the University of Adelaide (Australia), one of the authors of the study, stated that black tea has benefits similar to those of diabetes medications – SGLT2 inhibitors. The inhibition of SGLT2 leads to glycosuria, thereby helping to lower blood glucose levels.
The findings suggest that compounds in black tea may act similarly to SGLT2 inhibitors by influencing how the kidneys process glucose. These effects are most pronounced in those who drink black tea daily. Dr. Wu affirmed: “Drinking black tea daily may reduce the risk and progression of type 2 diabetes by more effectively controlling blood sugar levels.”
Despite these promising findings, researchers caution that an observational study alone cannot definitively ensure that daily tea consumption directly improves blood sugar control. Consequently, researchers are conducting another trial to further clarify this benefit of black tea.
Other Benefits of Black Tea
Improves Digestive Health
A study published in the British Medical Journal in 2018 indicated that certain components in black tea may support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, thereby improving digestive health.
Antioxidant and Anti-Cancer Properties
Like other teas, black tea contains polyphenols such as catechins, flavonoids, and oxidized polyphenol products derived from tea leaves. These compounds possess strong antioxidant properties, capable of combating free radicals in the body while slowing the aging process and preventing cancer.
Lowers Blood Pressure
Black tea contains theanine – an amino acid that can help regulate blood pressure. Additionally, other compounds such as polyphenols in black tea have been shown in some studies to lower blood pressure.
Weight Loss
Some preliminary studies suggest that adding black tea to the daily diet may help with weight loss. This is due to black tea’s ability to boost metabolism, reduce calorie intake, improve insulin sensitivity, and support fat burning.
Lowers Blood Lipids
Black tea contains a significant amount of polysaccharides. This active component can reduce levels of triglycerides and “bad” LDL cholesterol in the blood.
