Does Green Tea Lower Blood Sugar?

Does Green Tea Lower Blood Sugar and Increased Insulin Activity?

By J Peter Crane

Want to avoid metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes? It is possible to prevent both of these conditions if you take control of your eating habits and exercise. No expensive prescription drugs or complicated exercises are required. It could be as simple as drinking four cups of green tea a day and walking for 30 minutes, four or five times a week.

Metabolic syndrome is probably not on your radar screen, yet one in five people are affected in the U.S. Risk factors include extra weight around the waist, insulin resistance, aging, genes, hormone changes, and lack of exercise, which are all harbingers to both cardiovascular disease and (the focus of this article) type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes is characterized by insufficient secretion or improper functioning of insulin.

Obesity is a primary risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. It is closely associated with little or no exercise and poor diet choices, and creates conditions in your body such as:

High blood sugar levels

Reduced insulin levels and activity

High blood pressure

Oxidative stress

Increase in free radicals that damage cells and DNA (aging process)

High LDL (bad) cholesterol

And a host of other damages to the heart, kidneys, liver, and pancreas

How can or does green tea lower blood sugar? Green tea is produced by wilting, steaming, and drying the leaves without fermentation. This process retains the potent antioxidant catechin compounds, unlike the process used for black or oolong tea. It appears these catechins are responsible for green tea's blood sugar-lowering properties.

I am listing the answer to, does green tea lower blood sugar and increase insulin activity, along with many other health benefits it provides:

Yes, it lowers blood sugar levels

Increases insulin activity

Promotes glucose metabolism in healthy individuals

Suppresses glucose transfer from the intestine to the blood stream

Reduces the enzyme amylase that helps convert starch to sugar

Does not lower the blood sugar levels in a healthy person

Polysaccharides are also present in the leaves and have the same ability to regulate blood sugar as insulin does

Could forestall or alleviate the risk of metabolic syndrome, a precursor to type 2 diabetes

Importantly could control or prevent type 2 diabetes

Does green tea lower blood sugar and increase insulin activity is answered with a resounding yes. There are still a few important facts you should know before you consider drinking this healthful beverage.

The antioxidant activity of green tea is almost six times that of black

Caffeine does not help in lowering blood sugar and can have an adverse effect on blood sugar

Drinking unsweetened decaffeinated green tea might be more beneficial

Green tea extract pills and nutritional supplements are primarily made from extracts of the decaffeinated leaves.

Milk in tea does not reduce the increase of insulin activity in humans, but don't add sugar

Instant, herbal, and other commercially prepared teas do not show increased insulin activity in studies conducted by the USDA

Does green tea lower blood sugar and increase insulin activity? I have included a lot of supporting information that I hope is helpful and the answer is still yes.

Do yourself a favor and consider the many health benefits to be obtained with regular exercise, a healthful diet, and consumption of the potent green leaf antioxidant compounds.

Think of how much enjoyment there is to be gained by being healthy.

If you try the beverage and don't care for the taste, try taking a nutritional supplement containing the antioxidant compounds plus many other health benefitting vitamins and nutrients.





Coffee Lover-s


Other Green tea:

• HOW TO MAKE - THE BEST GREEN TEA
• 12 Benefits of Drinking Green Tea
• Green Tea Diet Health Benefits
• What Are The Dangers Of Green Tea Diets
• The Healing Effects of Green Tea For The Health

Green Tea Diet Health Benefits

By Jimmy Smith

While sipping a cup of green tea I thought to myself "I wonder who else is drinking this right now"? I threw up the question on twitter and facebook and got a few quick responses.

"I have a few cups a day because it's good for me."

"I drink one a day in the morning."

"It tastes good and is good for you so that's why I drink 2 cups a day."

That got my mind twisting further thinking about why people drink it in general. The mass media darling supplement that rose to prominence because of various health shows telling you that it can make you lose weight.

I wondered if there's anything to this green tea diet thing that everyone else seems to be so convinced on.

I clicked over to pudmed, the national library for research where you can find any study under the sun.

Popped in a few terms like 

"green tea and weight loss" 

"green tea and metabolism"

In 45 seconds I had a face full of research. Once I got through all the scientific jargon I realized that while following a green tea diet is very healthy for us, it's not going to contribute to a ton of fat loss.

That's not to say that it doesn't help your metabolism. It certainly does but only moderately and it can't correct for a lack of exercise or a poor diet. You see there's this theory that you can drink it and it can help you get lean. From the research we see that this is only moderately true and that proper diet and training has a bigger impact on our physiques.

It's not going to be the big difference maker in your diet.

But I still think you should include green tea in your diet every day for all of the numerous, proven health benefits like

• -Reduced frequency of illness 
• -Improved gum and teeth health 
• -Lowered inflammation 
• -Increased eye health 
• -Reduced risk of getting various sorts of cancers 
• -Lower blood pressure

And that's just a few of the potential benefits that you'll get from adding more of it to your diet.

Here's what I do daily...

Wake up and pop one pill that provided 8 cups through of decaff green tea

Then after my workout, whatever time of day that may be, I'll have 2 bags of green tea in 1 cup. I do this for the amino acid theanine in green tea that helps to get me to relax post workout.

If you need to sweeten it I suggest you use the natural, calorie free sweetener Stevia.

Good stuff

If you're only having 1 cup per day then you need to think about raising it to 2-3 to get more benefits.





Coffee Lover-s


Other Green tea:

• HOW TO MAKE - THE BEST GREEN TEA
• 12 Benefits of Drinking Green Tea
• Does Green Tea Lower Blood Sugar?
• What Are The Dangers Of Green Tea Diets
• The Healing Effects of Green Tea For The Health

What Are The Dangers Of Green Tea Diets

Green Tea Diets - What Are The Dangers Of Green Tea Diets

By Bill Nadraszky

The popularity of Green tea diets has increased in recent years. Green tea diets have long been considered to be very helpful for dieting. Recently, many companies have manufactured and distributed these products labeled "Green tea diet" for those who wish to lose weight.

Why is the Chinese tea diet so popular? Many believe that tea on its own carries only 4 calories per serving, and the caffeine in tea is potent enough to increase body function to help burn more calories. Additionally, it is believed that the polyphenols in tea seem to aid in the digestion of fat.

There are several names for the Green tea diet that help you lose weight - Green tea diet, fasting tea, slimming tea, super dieter's tea, weight loss tea. These teas all promote one message; namely that if drink this tea you will lose weight.

Nevertheless, many experts noted that what you are actually drinking from these products is a plant based laxative that can cause certain disorders like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, fainting and chronic constipation.

These products are derived from plants and have been used since time immemorial for their ability to relieve constipation and promote bowel movements. They are deemed effective for such purposes with occasional use. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) once stressed that the laxative teas and dietary supplements of most concern are those containing one or more of the substances, such as aloe, senna, rhubarb root, buckthorn, castor oil, and cascara.

When the labeled "Green tea diets" are excessively used based on the misconception that frequent bowel movements prevent the absorption of calories, then problems tend to occur. Numerous studies have shown that the laxative-induced diarrhea does not significantly reduce absorption of calories for the reason that laxatives don't work in the small intestine, where the calories are absorbed. It rather works on the colon, which is the lower end of the bowel.

When the Green tea diets are misused by steeping the tea longer than product labeling recommends, this can lead to short as well as long term adverse condition. This is also true when the Green tea diets are taken more than the suggested quantity.

For those drinking the Green tea diets for the first time, stomach cramps; vomiting, nausea and diarrhea are the common disorders to occur and will last for several days. In the event that these laxatives are used continually, laxative dependence will tend to develop, causing bouts of chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain as well as constipation. In the most severe cases, these laxatives can cause fainting and dehydration. These after-effects of excessive use of Green tea diets are most likely to develop in people who are nutritionally compromised due to rigorous weight-loss dieting.

As the concerns about the safety of Green tea diets have increased, the FDA is now considering requiring the manufacturers of labeled "Green tea diets" to place warning labels on all of their product stimulant laxatives. It is also important that those who are using Green tea diets for any purpose must read and follow the recommended directions carefully; otherwise they place their health at risk.

Generally, if used appropriately and consuming the right quantity, Green tea diets are safe.







Coffee Lover-s


Other Green tea:

HOW TO MAKE - THE BEST GREEN TEA
12 Benefits of Drinking Green Tea
Does Green Tea Lower Blood Sugar?
Green Tea Diet Health Benefits
The Healing Effects of Green Tea For The Health

The Healing Effects of Green Tea For The Health

By Diana Joy Delfin Flores

Most people around the world would think that the tea that they used to buy from te store and over the counter is just an ordinary and run of the mill drink that could quench their thirst and craving and satisfy themselves. They do not know the fact that the beverage from this plant is no ordinary beverage or refreshment; it is a tea that provides healing benefits to our body.

This drink is rich in antioxidants which are composed of antibodies that can cure and eradicate various diseases of our body. Among the lists include severe or malign cancer, serious infection and viruses, diseases related to the heart and many others. You might wonder and doubt how this tea can do that. Recent studies and experiments show that even before, the plant from where it is extracted and processed has been used since the dawn of human kind in diverse parts of the world.

Until now, it is still continued to be patronized by different people living near the hinterlands where the plants commonly strive and grow. It is readily brewed and taken immediately right after the process. This is more effective considering that no artificial process has been done. However, you have to bear the strangeness of its taste. Nonetheless, the nutrients are still present and they can be used by the body. For others, they dry the leaves of the plant and then brew it. Whichever way is still effective. The only difference is that the set of procedures as well as the nutrients that are present in the tea.

The tea that we can purchase in any store has already undergone several processes making it too convenient for us to have it. Yet, we try to neglect that the there are more things and health benefits that this green tea could offer. We are not cognizant about the fact that in every cup that we consume, there are also corresponding vitamins and antioxidants that we can get from it.

According to researches and scientific experiments, these antioxidants fight against harmful and toxic substances that are taken in by our body. These antioxidants become instruments in restoring the lost nutrients in our body. It is even supplementary to our health diet. It has also substances that can destroy or eliminate fats making it a healthy drink every now and then.

Having a cup of this beverage everyday also aids you for proper blood circulation.

People through out the world drinks green tea, it is known for its beneficial effects for the body. There are many benefits of drinking green tea. To find more information about green tea, visit green tea diet.







Coffee Lover-s


Other Green tea:

HOW TO MAKE - THE BEST GREEN TEA
12 Benefits of Drinking Green Tea
Does Green Tea Lower Blood Sugar?
Green Tea Diet Health Benefits
What Are The Dangers Of Green Tea Diets

12 Benefits of Drinking Green Tea

By Elmer James

I was recently asked about the benefits of drinking green tea by a friend who knows that I run a website devoted to products that make use of green tea natural states. I already knew some of the benefits but I started to do some additional research.

Here is the list of benefits I found during my research:

• - It reduces the risk of heart attacks and heart diseases
• 
  
• - It is used in the treatment and prevention of cancer
• 
  
• - It is used to raise metabolism and increase fat oxidation
• 
  
• - It reduces the risk of esophageal cancer
• 
  
• - It is used to stop Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases
• 
  
• - It is used for weight loss
• 
  
• - It is used to treat multiple sclerosis
• 
  
• - It reduces the levels of cholesterol
• 
  
• - It improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol
• 
  
• - It is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular diseases
• 
  
• - It is used to treat impaired immune function
• 
  
• - It prevents tooth decay by killing the bacteria which causes dental plaque

The Chinese have known about the benefits of teas for over 4,000 years. It has long been used there for its' medicinal benefit in treating everything from depression to the common headache.

But what is it in green tea that allows it to give us so many health benefits? It is mainly because green tea in minimal processed where most other teas are heavily processed. It is processed by withering and steaming the leaves, and not by being fermented like the black tea and oolong teas. This makes one of green's major components, a catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) much more concentrated in the leaves.

The antioxidants in green teas scavenge the body for free radicals that damage DNA. This damage to the DNA from free radicals can contribute to cancer, blood clots forming, and atherosclerosis. These powerful antioxidants can also be found in dark chocolate, red wine, grapes and some berries. But the levels of antioxidants in these products don't compare to the levels found in teas in their green stat. Studies have shown that these antioxidants contribute to your overall good health.

For over 10 years, the research has shown that drinking the green variety of tea has the potential to fight cancer and heart disease. But it has been even more interesting to find links to the role that it plays in lowering cholesterol, burning fat, staving off dementia, and preventing diabetes and stroke.

A Japanese study of 500 women with stage I and stage II breast cancer found that by increasing their daily consumption of it both before and after their surgeries, saw lower recurrence of the cancer returning.

Chinese studies have further shown that the more teas the participants drank, the less the risk was of developing prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancers, esophageal cancer, and colorectal cancers.

Additional studies have shown a link between high tea consumption and the reduced risk of lung cancer stating that two cups daily of green tea may reduce the risk by as much as 18%.

Green teas are also on the battlefield in weight loss. Drinking them has been shown to lower LDL "bad" cholesterol and fight obesity. Both of these are major risk factors in diabetes and heart disease. A Dutch study showed that people who drank green varieties of tea, lost more weight than those who did not. By fighting fat oxidation, they reduced the waistlines and caused significant fat loss.

Many manufacturers are now adding green tea to their toothpaste due to its ability to kill the bacteria that caused dental plaque. As you begin to read the ingredient list in many of the health products we use daily, you begin to see more and more green teas and their extracts listed in those ingredients list.

So the evidence shows that drinking a few cups of green tea daily can have many health benefits.

Elmer James has been writing both online and off-line articles for many years. Elmer is not only an expert writer when it comes to Green Teas, but also take a look at his website about Natural Hair Regrowth.


Coffee Lover-s


Other Green tea:

HOW TO MAKE - THE BEST GREEN TEA
Does Green Tea Lower Blood Sugar?
Green Tea Diet Health Benefits
What Are The Dangers Of Green Tea Diets
The Healing Effects of Green Tea For The Health