A recent study suggests that daily consumption of dark tea may help maintain stable blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The research, presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, indicates that individuals who regularly drink dark tea experience a 53 percent reduced risk of pre-diabetes and a 47 percent lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
Importantly, these statistics remained consistent even after accounting for factors such as age, ethnicity, BMI, and lifestyle habits. While numerous studies have previously highlighted the health benefits of tea, including its potential to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, the exact mechanisms behind these advantages have remained unclear.
According to Prof. Tongzhi Wu, co-lead author of the study from the University of Adelaide and South-East University in China, the findings of this research suggest that habitual tea drinking may offer protective effects on blood sugar management.Â
According to The National News, the study’s insights point towards several potential mechanisms, including increased glucose excretion in urine, improved insulin resistance, and better blood sugar control. Dark tea, in particular, undergoes a microbial fermentation process that yields various bioactive compounds and derivatives, such as alkaloids, free amino acids, polyphenols, and polysaccharides.
These compounds possess strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, potentially enhancing insulin sensitivity, optimizing pancreatic beta cell function, and influencing gut bacteria composition. Prof. Wu also highlighted the similarities between the beneficial ingredients in dark tea and a new group of diabetes drugs called SGLT2 inhibitors. These drugs, in addition to effectively managing diabetes, offer protection for the heart and kidneys.Â
Regarding testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), another study presented at the conference explored its potential to enhance glycemic control in men with type 2 diabetes for up to two years. Approximately 40 percent of men diagnosed with type 2 diabetes experience symptomatic testosterone deficiency, which has been associated with various health risks.Â
TRT has been linked to decreased insulin resistance, improved quality of life, reduced cholesterol levels, and lower obesity and mortality rates. However, Prof. Hugh Jones from Barnsley Hospital in the UK expressed concerns about the current use of TRT and hopes that an audit conducted by the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD) will provide clarity regarding which patients benefit most from this treatment.Â
The ABCD audit, which incorporates data from 34 centers in eight countries and involves 428 patients, aims to evaluate the real-world effectiveness and safety of TRT. Results from the audit indicate a significant decline in HbA1c levels, a measure of average blood sugar over two to three months, following TRT treatment.Â
Another study focused on the potential link between low-dose radiation exposure and an increased risk of diabetes. This research examined emergency workers who responded to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster in 2011. Among the male emergency workers in the study, those exposed to cumulative low-dose radiation between five and nine millisieverts had a 6 percent increased risk of diabetes.
The risk further increased for those exposed to 10-19 millisieverts and 20-49 millisieverts, with 47 percent and 33 percent higher risk, respectively. These recent findings shed light on the potential benefits of dark tea consumption in reducing diabetes risk and offer insights into the impact of testosterone replacement therapy and radiation exposure on diabetes-related outcomes. Further research is needed to better understand these connections and their clinical implications.Â
News Reference Â
The National News, “Drinking dark tea every day may reduce risk of type 2 diabetes”, Drinking dark tea every day may reduce risk of type 2 diabetes (thenationalnews.com). Â
