Green tea is consumed to help manage many health conditions. There are claims that it supports weight loss, improves memory, calms stomach upset and gastrointestinal symptoms and reduces the risk of heart disease and some forms of cancer. Substances in green tea can affect many systems in the body, including your blood sugar levels. If you are concerned about maintaining a specific blood glucose level while consuming green tea, speak with your physician, who can recommend a safe amount to consume and tell you how often to check your blood sugar levels.
Green Tea
All types of tea are made from the Camellia sinensis plant, but the various types of teas are processed differently. Green tea is produced with very little processing. Green tea can also be made into an extract or taken in capsule form. While research is limited, consuming green tea may protect against some forms of cancer. Since it does contain caffeine, it can increase alertness, says the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. There needs to be more studies to fully determine if it can aid weight loss or help manage chronic health conditions.
Green Tea and Diabetes
Since green tea is not highly processed, it is rich in antioxidants called polyphenols. Antioxidants can help to destroy free radicals, which are substances in the body that alter cells, tamper with DNA and even cause cell death. A diet high in antioxidants may help to prevent some of the damage that free radicals do in the body. Research on humans has been limited, however there is a possibility that including green tea in the diet may help to lower the hemoglobin A1c level in individuals with borderline diabetes, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center.
The hemoglobin A1c test shows an average of your blood sugar control over a six to 12 week period and it is used in conjunction with home blood sugar monitoring to see how your diabetes treatment is working. For people without diabetes, the normal range for the hemoglobin A1c test is between 4 percent and 6 percent. Those with diabetes should keep the level at less than 7 percent.
Safety
In general, green tea appears to be safe for most people, but it may cause side effects such as stomach upset and constipation. Drinking five or more cups a day is considered unsafe due to the caffeine content and may contribute to headaches, nervousness, insomnia, vomiting, diarrhea, irritability, irregular heartbeat, tremors, heartburn, dizziness, ringing in the ears, convulsions and confusion. It also appears to reduce the absorption of iron from food, notes MedlinePlus. Drinking 10 g to 14 g or even less can even be fatal. Since green tea has the potential to lower blood sugar levels, it is important to know the symptoms to look for.
Low Blood Sugar Symptoms
Everyone's sensitivity to food and beverages is different, so if you have concerns about low blood sugar, you will need to test yourself after consuming green tea to see how it affects you personally. The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse also recommends being aware of the symptoms of low blood sugar, which include hunger, shakiness, nervousness, sweating, dizziness, fatigue, confusion, difficulty speaking, anxiety or weakness. If these symptoms occur you need to seek medical attention. In severe cases there can be confusion and you can go into a coma.
