Tea may reduce your risk for diabetes.

Past studies have shown that tea may help reduce the risk for certain forms of cancer as well as being cardioprotective. A recent study has also shown that tea consumption may reduce the risk for diabetes. Diabetes is a key factor in the promotion of heart disease, vision loss, and late-breaking studies even suggest diabetes may be implicated in the genesis of Alzheimer’s disease.

This study investigated the antidiabetic effects of the most abundant green tea catechin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG, TEAVIGO), in animals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. EGCG was shown to improve oral glucose tolerance and blood glucose in food-deprived animals. Blood levels of triacylglycerol were reduced and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was enhanced (therefore less tendency to develop diabetes). In liver cells, EGCG inhibited synthesis of fatty acids, triacylgycerol, and cholesterol. In addition, the enzyme that helps the body to use glucose was increased in the liver of mice.

This study shows that EGCG beneficially modifies glucose and lipid metabolism in some liver cells and significantly enhances glucose tolerance in diabetic rodents. Dietary supplementation with EGCG could potentially contribute to nutritional strategies for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.1

References:
1. 2006 American Society for Nutrition J. Nutr. 136:2512-2518, October 2006