Green Tea & Pre-Diabetes

 

 

 

Pre-diabetes is a condition that can sneak up on almost anyone, and while it’s very likely that you already know about Type 2 Diabetes, it’s possible that you’re less familiar with this particular warning sign.

In this post, we’ll examine what pre-diabetes means to you, the importance of early detection, and how green tea can be incorporated into a strategy for prevention of Type 2 Diabetes.

What is Pre-Diabetes?
Pre-diabetes describes a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal, although not high enough to be diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. Put simply, pre-diabetes is an early warning sign caused by impaired glucose metabolism. (Reference: Diabetes Australia)

Pre-diabetes has no signs or symptoms, but people with pre-diabetes have a much higher risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes, as well as cardiovascular disease.

Two million Australians have pre-diabetes, and are at high-risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. (Reference: Diabetes Australia Website)

 

Why Is It Important To Detect Pre-Diabetes Early?

1. Pre-diabetes increases your risk of developing other serious conditions.
2. You can reverse pre-diabetes by making healthy lifestyle changes if caught in time.

How Can We Detect Pre-Diabetes?
Doctors recommend that people start being tested for pre-diabetes from the age of 45 years. It’s a simple blood test to check your sugar levels.

Is Pre-Diabetes Reversible?
YES! The good news is that pre-diabetes can be reversed with lifestyle and dietary changes, if caught early enough.

Strong evidence shows that Type 2 Diabetes can actually be prevented in up to 58% of cases in the high risk (pre-diabetes) population by eating well and exercising. (Reference)

How Does Green Tea affect Pre-Diabetes?
Several studies have pointed to green tea as a potentially effective method of controlling diabetes, and even improving insulin sensitivity. Just how it works isn’t completely clear, but it’s believed catechins within the tea — also responsible for its anticancer and heart health benefits — may be responsible. 

There are indications that green tea can reduce the risk of developing diabetes. According to one study in Japan, people who drank six or more cups of green tea daily were 33 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than people who drank just one cup per week.

Another study found that people who drank green tea consistently for a period of 10 years had smaller waist circumferences and lower body fat levels, showing that the tea may play a role in reducing obesity risk. 

The Best Green Tea?
Well, of course we’re biased, but that’s because we’re nurses and we created the Green Tea in 3 Seconds range to help people boost their water intake, boost their antioxidants, and reduce their sugar, in turn reducing their risk of developing obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Green Tea in 3 Seconds is one of the only teas with a measured dose of green tea antioxidants (so there’s no guess work). That means that even just one sachet (contains 265mg antioxidants) will bring you into the therapeutic range to start getting those famous green tea health benefits.

This, along with the fact that it is purified, and dissolves straight into your water bottle, means it’s the perfect alternative to sugary, flavoured drinks, so it’s a win-win-win!