Type 2 diabetes: The tea-based drink proven to lower blood sugar

Type 2 diabetes is a common condition that causes the level of sugar in a person’s blood to become too high. The condition causes the body to lose control of the amount of sugar in the blood – the body doesn’t respond to insulin properly and may not produce enough – causing blood sugar levels to become too high.

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If blood sugar levels aren’t controlled properly and stay too high a number of problems can occur, including kidney failure, nerve damage, heart disease, stroke, damage to vision and foot ulcers.

Managing blood sugar levels can help prevent and control type 2 diabetes, and one way to do this is through healthy eating.

Experts say there’s nothing you cannot eat if you have type 2 diabetes, but certain foods should be limited.

The NHS advises: “Eat a wide range of foods – including fruit, vegetables and some starchy foods like pasta.

“Keep sugar, fat and salt to a minimum, and eat breakfast, lunch and dinner every day – do not skip meals.”

But specific food and drink have also been studied for their blood sugar lowering qualities.

One drink which is becoming increasingly popular and has proven to have a positive impact on blood sugar levels, is kombucha.

Kombucha is believed to originate in China or Japan and is made by adding specific strains of bacteria and yeast and sugar to black or green tea, and is then left to ferment for a week or more.

Its benefits are thought to come from the fermentation process, with the mixture found to contain several species of lactic-acid bacteria which may offer probiotic function.

One study in diabetic rats found kombucha slowed down the digestion of carbs, which reduced blood sugar levels.

Kombucha made from green tea is likely to be even more beneficial, as green tea itself has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels. 

A review study of almost 300,00 people found green tea drinkers had an 18 per cent lower risk of becoming diabetic. 

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Losing weight (if you’re overweight) will also make it easier for the body to lower blood sugar levels, kombucha has also proven beneficial in this way.

A 2008 study found obese people who took green tea extract burned more clarions and lost more weight than those who didn’t. 

Other ways to lower blood sugar and keep it in check

Alongside eating healthily and losing weight, it’s also important to be active.

The NHS explains: “Physical exercise helps lower your blood sugar level.

“You should aim for 2.5 hours of activity a week.

“You can be active anywhere as long as what you’re doing get you out of breath.

“This could be fast walking, climbing stairs or doing more strenuous housework or gardening.”

Cutting down on alcohol and stopping smoking can also reduce your risk of developing complications related to blood sugar levels.

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