Black Tea For Diabetes Management

Sipping black tea may help control diabetes, a recent study shows.

For the study, scientists looked at compounds extracted from green tea, oolong tea, and black tea. Of the three extracts, polysaccharides (a class of carbohydrates that includes starch and cellulose) derived from black tea were found to be most effective at slowing the absorption of blood sugar (also known as glucose). The black tea polysaccharides also appeared to be most effective at fighting free radicals (chemical by-products known to damage DNA and suppress the immune system).

In people with diabetes, glucose accumulates in the blood instead of entering cells, which can ultimately cause damage to the heart and kidneys. Past research suggests that natural substances such as cinnamon, curcumin (a compound found in the curry spice turmeric), and ginseng may also help fight diabetes.