Diabetes UK show how to test feet for diabetic feet sensitivity
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
One of these drinks, says a study published in the Diabetologia journal, is one which is the UK’s second favourite, and one of its most cherished, tea. The conclusion comes after a systematic review of 19 cohort studies featuring over one million participants.
The results suggest that drinking a minimum of four cups of tea a day could reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 17 percent while those who drank one to three cups experienced a drop of just four percent.
The reason for tea’s potentially anti-diabetic effects could be down to its anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant compounds say researchers.
Lead author of the study Xiaying Li said: “Our results are exciting because they suggest that people can do something as simple as drinking four cups of tea a day to potentially lessen their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.”
What further intrigued researchers was that these associations were observed regardless of the tea consumed by the participants and their gender.
Professor Li added: “While more research needs to be done to determine the exact dosage and mechanisms behind these observations, our findings suggest that drinking tea is beneficial in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, but only at high doses (at least four cups a day).
“It is possible that particular components in tea, such as polyphenols, may reduce blood glucose levels, but a sufficient amount of these bioactive compounds may be needed to be effective. It may also explain why we did not find an association between tea drinking and type 2 diabetes in our cohort study, because we did not look at higher tea consumption.”
While the study is promising and represents a comprehensive review of existing data, it is important to remember the nature of the study and the caveats that come with that.
The study in question was an observational one and so cannot draw a definitive conclusion on the health benefits or not of tea. It can only observe the link and analyse the data at hand.
Furthermore, the authors said they relied on subjective assessments of the quantities of tea consumed; this means they cannot rule out the possibility that other lifestyle and psychological factors may have played a role.
Tea is also thought to have a positive psychological impact on the body as it helps relax the mind and create a sense of ease among those who drink it.
Furthermore, it demonstrates the power of natural elements to help prevent, ease, or alleviate conditions.
READ MORE: Blood clot warning: Five foods that could ‘keep blood from moving’ – ‘steer clear’
Another of those foods, according to the Defeat Diabetes Foundation, is guava. A common tropical fruit, guavas are available in most large supermarkets.
The DDF says: “Guavas have also been directly connected to helping prevent type 2 diabetes: a recent study showed that eating guavas can help to lower and regulate blood glucose levels. Guavas are very low in glycemic index and glycemic load, making them an extremely healthy food for diabetics and those most at risk for developing diabetes.
“Even the leaves of the guava tree, which are gaining popularity as a tea, have shown promise as a natural treatment for diabetes, and as a tool for preventing type 2 diabetes as well.”
The study the DDF references was conducted in 2016 by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. The aim of their study was to identify the potential benefits of guava in the prevention of diabetes.
In their report they concluded: “Guava fruit without peel is more effective in lowering blood sugar as well as serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDLc. It increases HDLc levels also.”
When they mention LDLc and HDLc, they are referring to the two types of cholesterol, LDL and HDL. LDL is known as ‘bad’ cholesterol and forms as a plaque in the arteries while HDL is also referred to as ‘good’ cholesterol as it helps to maintain the cardiovascular system.
Like other conditions, high cholesterol is one of those conditions which, while symptomless and easily ignored, can significantly increase the risk of other ailments.
As a result, it is crucial that people do what they can to reduce their risk by eating well and exercising regularly.
Source: Read Full Article