Some herbal teas contain ingredients that can help with blood sugar management, increase insulin sensitivity, or fight inflammation. Find out more about herbal teas for diabetes in our latest blog.
—
If you have diabetes, or your doctor has told you that you are pre-diabetic, managing your blood sugar levels is vital. And diet plays a huge role in supporting your efforts.
Herbal tea can be a great option to help you stay hydrated. Low in calories and free from processed sugar, herbal tea is a healthy alternative to sugary fizzy drinks and fruit juices.
Even better, many herbal teas contain ingredients that may help with the symptoms of diabetes. Herbs are often high in antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties.
Some can even increase insulin sensitivity or support blood sugar management. Others may protect your heart health or reduce high blood pressure.
Our list of herbal teas for diabetes will help you choose the best options for you.
1. Green Tea
As you’ve probably heard, green tea has many health benefits, making it a great all-rounder for anyone who wants to take care of their physical and mental wellbeing.
When it comes to diabetes, green tea is especially beneficial because of its high levels of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is a powerful antioxidant. Its anti-inflammatory properties can protect against chronic inflammation, which is often associated with type 2 diabetes.
Green tea can also lower your blood sugar levels and support weight loss. Research indicates that drinking green tea regularly can reduce your chances of developing type 2 diabetes.
2. Turmeric
Another great herbal tea for diabetes is turmeric. This yellow spice is a well-known anti-inflammatory, protecting our cells from damage by free radicals. In turn, this may reduce the risk of chronic diseases, like type 2 diabetes.
The main compound in turmeric is curcumin, which has many benefits for our health. As well as fighting inflammation, curcumin has been linked to increased insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels.
Turmeric also shows promise for improving some of the other health conditions that are often associated with diabetes, such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
3. Cinnamon
A much-loved kitchen ingredient, cinnamon is also prized by herbalists for its ability to support healthy blood sugar levels.
Like turmeric, cinnamon contains anti-inflammatory compounds. It helps to boost blood circulation, which can often be an issue in people with diabetes. And it also helps to reduce cholesterol levels and protect our heart health.
Even more importantly, cinnamon can reduce blood sugar levels and increase insulin sensitivity. Research suggests that it may be especially effective for people with a higher BMI.
4. Black Tea
Black tea is the UK’s favourite drink, and you might argue that it doesn’t really come under the heading of herbal tea at all. However, we wanted to include it on this list because it shows potential for reducing the symptoms of diabetes and supporting blood sugar management.
Like green tea, black tea contains polyphenols (plant compounds) that reduce inflammation and lower blood sugar levels. Indeed, both these types of tea come from the same plant – the difference is in how they are processed.
Green tea contains higher levels of these beneficial compounds than black tea, but both can support your health. Just be sure to drink your tea without milk and sugar for the best benefits. If you find the taste too strong like this, you can always combine it with other herbs to make a more palatable blend.
5. Bitter Melon
The final contestant on our list is bitter melon, which is a popular natural remedy for diabetes because of its ability to reduce blood sugar levels, support weight loss, and lower cholesterol levels.
Bitter melon contains a compound called polypeptide-p, which appears to act in a similar way to insulin in our bodies. Another of its compounds, charantin, helps to lower blood sugar.
6. NutraGycemia
Our favourite herbal tea for diabetes is NutraGlycemia, our premium tea blend that has been specifically designed to support healthy blood sugar management.
This blend contains bitter melon, cinnamon, and black tea, as well as other herbs that are known to reduce high blood sugar.
7. Turmeric & Cinnamon
Another great herbal tea for diabetes is Turmeric & Cinnamon, from our flagship tea range. A delicious and earthy herbal tea, it combines turmeric and cinnamon to fight inflammation, boost blood circulation, and increase insulin sensitivity.
