Green tea has been touted as a remedy for dozens of medical conditions and ailments, and in some cases it has proven effective. Some of its potential benefits are because it contains caffeine, but it also contains other active ingredients with potential medical benefits. In the case of type 2 diabetes, no firm evidence suggests it is useful, although it may help lower blood sugar levels. Always consult with a doctor before using green tea to treat or prevent type 2 diabetes.
Medical Evidence
As of 2011, no studies have yet shown conclusively that drinking green tea can help prevent or treat people with type 2 diabetes. However, research conducted on adults in Japan -- where the tea is commonly consumed -- shows that people who drink at least six cups of the tea each day have a 33 percent lower chance of developing the condition than people who drink just one cup, MedlinePlus reports. This effect seems more prominent in women than in men.
How to Use It
You can drink green tea as you would any other tea, but for medicinal benefits you should focus on the amount of polyphenols you consume. Two to three cups of the tea a day will provide 240 mg to 320 mg of the polyphenols. If you don't like tea but still want to get the potential benefits from green tea, you can take supplements containing between 100 mg and 750 mg of a standardized extract of the tea each day, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition that should not be self-treated. Always consult with your doctor before using green tea to treat the condition.
Side Effects
When consumed in moderate amounts, green tea is safe for most people and few side effects are reported, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Some people experience stomach pain and constipation. Also, in rare cases liver damage has been reported in people taking concentrated extracts of the tea. Signs of liver damage include dark urine, pale-colored stools, yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, and abdominal pain.
Safety Precautions
Although safe for most people, you should not use green tea if you have heart disease, kidney disease, stomach ulcers or certain psychological conditions, including anxiety, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding also should not use it, in part because it contains caffeine. And because green tea contains vitamin K, it can interfere with blood-clotting abilities in people who take anticoagulant medications such as warfarin.
