Green Tea Extract For Diabetes

There are two forms of diabetes: Type 1 occurs mostly in children and young adults, while Type 2 diabetes develops in adults, and according to Merck Manual, obesity plays a major role in this form of diabetes. Common complications of diabetes include cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack and strokes, as well as kidney, eyes and nerve impairments. While research shows only a modest benefit of green tea extract to support healthy glucose levels, it has been found beneficial to help decrease the risk of common complications of diabetes.

HbA1c and Diabetics

If you are a diabetic, your doctor will check blood glucose levels as well as HbA1c levels. HbA1c is a test that estimates the amount of a blood protein, glycated hemoglobin. The reason this test is performed in diabetics is because it evaluates how well you've managed the diabetes over several months. The better is HbA1c controlled, the lower your risk of developing complications such as kidney or heart diseases.

Diabetes and Green Tea

While studying the benefits of green tea for diabetes, researchers looked at the improvement of sugar levels and HbA1c levels, among other parameters.

Based on a review of research studies by Drugs.com, many studies found that green tea extract slightly improved the levels of HbA1c, while other studies showed no benefits.

A study published by Z. Fu and colleagues in the November 2010 issue of "The British Journal of Nutrition" found positive effects of consuming green tea extract in relation with Type 1 diabetes in animal models. Animals who ingested green tea had healthier levels of HbA1c and lower risk of developing diabetes compared with the control group. These finding supported the conclusion that green tea extract may help delay the onset of Type 1 diabetes.

Green Tea and Complications of Diabetes

While more research is needed to prove green tea extract as an effective supplement for lowering glucose levels, individuals with diabetes may benefit from green tea to reduce the risk of complications of diabetes such as heart disease and stroke. Diabetes is also frequently associated with obesity and high cholesterol.
According to Drugs.com, green tea extract yielded favorable effects in decreasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases including angina, heart attacks and stroke, decrease body fat as well as cholesterol levels.

Add More Green Tea To Your Diet

A healthy diet is important in diabetes, and taking green tea extract may help improve the health of your heart.
Besides drinking few coups of tea daily, you can add green tea extract to your smoothie, main dishes or deserts. Green tea extract is also available as an over-the-counter supplement.

Considerations

If you suffer from diabetes, talk to your doctor to discuss the optimal dosage of green tea extract for you, possible side effects and drug interactions. Keep in mind that green tea extract does not replace diabetes medications or any other medications you are currently on.