Coffee and Tea for Diabetes
We know here in the South sweet tea and sweetened coffee drinks are staples. Neither of these drinks, though, are good for people with diabetes. It may be hard for you to stomach, but unsweetened coffee and tea can help reduce blood sugar levels, increase insulin sensitivity, and reduce the risk of diabetes.
One of the best teas for you is green tea. It can help reduce your blood pressure and can lower your LDL, or bad cholesterol, levels. It may sound like a lot, but some studies show that drinking up to six cups of green tea a day can help lower your risk of diabetes. If green tea is your… well, cup of tea, you can try Earl Grey and jasmine teas. Don’t add any sugar or sweeteners, but you can add some lemon slices for added flavor.
Similarly, studies have also shown that coffee can help lower the risk of developing diabetes. The risk dropped significantly lower for those who drank three or more cups of coffee a day! Like with tea, these health benefits of coffee are lessened when sugar and creamers are added. Be careful when adding sweeteners to make sure you don’t cause a crazy spike in your blood glucose levels!
