Camomile tea could improve blood glucose control in type 2 diabetes

[DCUK NewsBot]

An Iranian study finds that drinking three cups of camomile tea a day could improve control of blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Researchers from Tabriz University of Medical Sciences aimed to investigate how the effects of camomile tea would affect glycemic control and antioxidant levels in type 2 subjects. Antioxidants are chemicals that protect or delay against cell damage. 64 participants with type 2 diabetes were recruited, all of whom were aged between 30 and 60. They consumed camomile tea three times per day immediately after meals for eight weeks. A control group also followed this routine, but they drank water instead. The camomile tea group had significantly reduced HbA1c and serum insulin levels, as well as significantly increased total antioxidant capacity compared to those in the control group. The researchers concluded that camomile tea could be useful in reducing diabetes risk factors. They added: "Short-term intake of chamomile tea has beneficial effects on glycemic control and antioxidant status in patients with type 2 diabetes." However, the researchers noted that a larger sample population and a longer intervention period would be necessary in order to demonstrate significant clinical improvements. This study was published in the journal Nutrition.

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[Brunneria]

pity it tastes like stewed weeds though.

 

[SunnyExpat]

Excellent, I actually like it, so maybe less coffee, more chamomile!

 

[Simon84]

no thnx! its almost as rank as green tea!

 

[RYU]

I like green tea so may have to try this.

Why is it that when every you see 'breakthroughs' like this, you never see a side headline of 'researchers invest heavily in chamomile tea factory' or 'Researchers open up new tea shop proclaims chamomile cures everything'

you would have thought that since they put in the effort that they would want to invest in their own work to gain the rewards.

 

[Indy51]

pity it tastes like stewed weeds though.

Ain't that the truth. We've got a spearmint blended with chamomile that's quite bearable though

 

[Celeriac]

I have quite a few teas because I don't drink milk now. Camomile is one of them but although I like it, I prefer Throat Coat and Earl Grey so I probably won't be drinking three mugs a day.

 

[Indy51]

but all you have to do is add hibiscus to it

That's what I do too with herbal teas I don't like - brew them with another blend I like - makes them much easier to drink.