Green tea, which is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, has been used by China and India for hundreds of years to treat wounds, improve heart health and relieve gas. Most of green tea's benefits are due to its antioxidant properties. In fact, evidence indicates that green tea antioxidants called catechins might help decrease hemoglobin A1c, a measurement for your average blood sugar levels. Consult your health care provider before taking any green tea supplements
Hemoglobin A1c
Hemoglobin A1c testing measures your average blood glucose levels over a period of time, usually two to three months. It is used as an indicator of how well you are controlling your blood glucose levels, especially if you are diabetic. For normal people, hemoglobin A1c levels should be between 4 and 6 percent, while diabetics should strive for less than 7 percent, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Catechins
Green tea extract might help lower your hemoglobin A1c level, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Shizuoka. Subjects consumed green tea extract, which contained 456 mg of catechins, daily for four months. Hemoglobin A1c levels were measured at baseline, two months and four months. Scientists reported in the August 2008 issue of the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition" that participants experienced a significant reduction in hemoglobin A1c level.
Type 2 Diabetics
Similar results were also found in another study performed by scientists at Kao Corporation, a company in Japan that makes green tea beverages.Type 2 diabetics were assigned to receive either 582.8 mg or 96.3 mg of catechins daily for 12 weeks. Hemoglobin A1c levels were measured before and after the study. Researchers observed that those in the 582.8 mg catechin group experienced decreases in hemoglobin A1c levels compared with those ingesting 96.3 mg of catechins. The findings were published in the November 2008 issue of "Obesity."
Interactions
Green tea supplements might interfere with certain medications, including beta-lactam, adenosine, blood thinning medications and oral contraceptives. In addition, green tea supplements contain caffeine, which in high doses may cause insomnia, nervousness and muscle tremors, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Consult your health care provider before consuming green tea supplements.
References
- Mayo Clinic; A1c Test; January 2011
- "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Randomized Controlled Trial for an Effect of Green Tea-Extract Powder Supplementation on Glucose Abnormalities; Y. Fukino et al.; August 2008
- "Obesity"; A Catechin-rich Beverage Improves Obesity and Blood Glucose Control in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes; T. Nagao et al.; November 2008
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Green Tea; 2011
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