There are those who cannot start the day without a sip of coffee while others prefer to drink tea. If you find yourself in the second group, try to keep your cup full of black tea since consuming it frequently has been associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
We have told you about the benefits of yerba mate tea for diabetes. An international study found similar benefits in black tea.
As a hot or cold infusion, black tea is one of the most popular drinks on the planet. In addition to being a nervous system stimulant like all caffeinated drinks, its regular consumption has previously been associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The different research that supported this belief was reaffirmed by a study carried out by the publication Data Mining International in Geneva, Switzerland.
Researcher Ariel Beresniak, director of the study, and his colleagues decided to analyze the consumption of black tea in 2009, in 50 countries on all continents and compared this level of consumption with the rates of diabetes and cancer and other health conditions. (respiratory, infectious and cardiovascular diseases) in those countries. The comparison found: Rates of type 2 diabetes are lower in countries where a lot of black tea is drunk.
The country with the highest consumption of black tea in the study was Ireland, with an average of 2 kilos (4.4 pounds) per year per person, closely followed by the United Kingdom and Turkey. In contrast, the lowest levels of black tea consumption were recorded in South Korea, Brazil, China, Morocco and Mexico.
Although statistics showed a reduction in diabetes rates in countries with the highest consumption, the study does not demonstrate causality between increased consumption of black tea and the development of diabetes. There was also no association of black tea with any of the other health conditions considered in the study.
What could be the reason for this added benefit of tea? Researchers suggest that it is due to the wide variety of complex flavonoids contained in black tea, which are released through the infusion process. Flavonoids are plant pigments of which, to date, around 600 are known. Their botanical function is to attract the pollinating agents of the plant from which they come, and in human nutrition they offer certain health benefits due to their properties. antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial.
If you already drink black tea regularly, congratulations, as it could help you reduce your risks of developing type 2 diabetes, a condition that is increasing by leaps and bounds globally. According to the International Diabetes Federation, the 285 million people affected by the condition in 2010 will increase to 438 million in 2020. But you should drink black tea in moderation, since excess (more than five cups a day) , may produce adverse effects due to caffeine. Among these are:
- Headache
- Nervousness
- Difficulty to sleep
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea
- Irritability
- Arrhythmias
- Heartburn
- Dizziness and ringing in the ears
- Confusion
Other people who should avoid drinking too much black tea include pregnant women (no more than 2 cups a day equivalent to 200 mg of caffeine) or those who are breastfeeding, as well as people with anemia.
Now you know that that steaming cup of tea you enjoy after a meal can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. But certainly, don't leave it all to tea. Do your part with a balanced diet and a good exercise plan.
Pronapresa
"Because prevention is better than cure"
