These Teas Help Balance Your Blood Sugar

Chances are you don’t pay much attention to your blood sugar levels unless you have diabete, but your blood sugar levels also affect your energy levels.

Frequent blood sugar spikes can lead to fatigue and bad mood. Even worse, they cause insulin resistance, which can lead to type 2 diabetes.

The first step to balancing your blood sugar levels is to cut back on processed food and simple carbs. You may also want to exercise regularly and increase your fiber intake.

Interestingly, drinking certain types of tea also helps balance your blood sugar. These are teas that can keep your blood sugar levels in check.

1. OOLONG TEA

Oolong tea is made by partially fermenting the same leaves used to make green and black tea. One of its biggest benefits is boosting energy and alertness, thanks to its caffeine content.

In recent years, people have been using oolong tea to fight obesity and diabetes. According to research, drinking six cups of oolong tea a day helps diabetics lower blood sugar levels. 

Other studies show that oolong tea may help enhance weight loss. Just make sure you don’t add cream or sugar to it.

2. GREEN TEA

Many of us are only aware of the weight loss benefits of green tea, but this beverage also has compounds that can regulate your blood sugar.

A recent study found that Polyphenon E, a green tea polyphenol, can improve gut health and consequently lower blood sugar levels.

Green tea is one of those beverages you should drink every day, because it offers many other benefits, like improving skin health and fighting depression.

3. BLACK TEA

It makes sense that oolong, green and black teas regulate blood sugar, since they’re derived from the same plant. The only difference is how long the leaves ferment.

Leaves for black tea are fully fermented, while leaves for oolong tea are partially fermented. Leaves for green tea are not fermented.

Instead of feeling guilty after eating a piece of cake, drink black tea. This study found that drinking black tea after meals lowers blood sugar levels.

4. PU-ERH TEA

This tea is special because, like wine, it gets better with age. Some pu-erh teas are more than 50 years old. But you may not want to go for the aged ones, unless you want to spend thousands of dollars.

Luckily, you don’t need vintage pu-erh tea to reap its many benefits, such as lowering LDL cholesterol and regulating blood sugar.

(By the way, pu-erh is pronounced as POO-air.)

5. SAGE TEA

This herb, native to the Mediterranean, has strong antioxidant properties. Research shows it can regulate blood sugar levels. In a study involving 40 diabetics, researchers found that taking sage leaf extract for three months led to lower average blood glucose levels and lower total cholesterol.

6. BILBERRY TEA

Many people consume bilberry as tea, and this may be helping them balance their blood sugar. Animal studies show that bilberry extract lowers blood sugar levels in diabetic mice.

Note that these teas may not help if you eat many foods that are high in refined carbohydrates. First, improve your diet, then use these teas to keep your blood sugar balanced.