Noting that a cup of green tea contains 50-100 milligrams of catechins and 30-40 grams of caffeine, Prof. Dr. M. Emel Alphan said that more catechins pass through green tea than black tea during brewing and that healthy people and diabetics are recommended to consume a maximum of 2 cups of green tea. Alphan said that it should be kept in mind that drinking more than two cups of herbal teas, including green tea, may have harmful effects on the kidneys as it increases the diuretic (excessive urination) effect.
Prof. Dr. M. Emel Alphan, Head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Istanbul Atlas University, made an assessment on the points to be considered in tea consumption.
Stating that tannins in the structure of tea bind with dietary iron and reduce iron absorption, Prof. Dr. Emel Alphan said, “Tea is a drink that is usually consumed for breakfast. Egg is a food containing iron. If eggs are not eaten for breakfast, there is no need to avoid tea. In other words, you can easily drink tea at a breakfast that includes cheese, olives, etc. Tea or coffee can be drunk 45 minutes after a breakfast with eggs.”
Tea is a rich source of catechins
Pointing to the positive effects of tea on health with its components, Prof. Dr. M. Emel Alphan said that experimental studies have revealed that tea has the ability to prevent hyperglycemia.
Tea can be effective in increasing insulin effect
Noting that tea components are effective in increasing insulin effect, Prof. Dr. M. Emel Alphan said, “Tea, especially green tea, is a rich source of catechins, especially epigallocatechin gallate, which has many positive effects on health. Experimental studies have shown that epigallocatechin gallate and other catechins can prevent hyperglycemia by altering insulin activity and preventing beta cell damage. Tea may also increase insulin sensitivity and insulin secretory action. Black, green and oolong teas have been shown to increase insulin sensitivity by increasing insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in adipocytes. Tea components such as epigallocatechingallate, epicatechingallate, tannins and theaflavins may play a role in enhancing insulin action.”
Green tea consumption benefits diabetics
Stating that tea is an indispensable drink for many people, including diabetics, Prof. Dr. M. Emel Alphan said, “Some teas can also be beneficial for those with certain metabolic disorders. For example, green tea is a caffeinated tea that provides many benefits, including reducing all-cause mortality in Type 2 diabetics. A five-year study that followed the health of more than 4,000 participants with diabetes found that those who drank four or more cups of green tea a day had a 63 percent lower mortality rate.”
Green tea contains more catechins
Noting that one cup (250 ml) of green tea contains 50-100 milligrams of catechin and 30-40 grams of caffeine, Prof. Dr. M. Emel Alphan said, “The way of preparation, brewing conditions, the amount and freshness of the plant can affect the bioactive components. During brewing, more catechin passes through green tea than black tea. In one study, catechins, which are antioxidants, were found to be 3 times higher in green tea than in black tea. It is recommended that healthy people and diabetics consume a maximum of two cups of green tea.”
Beware of more than two cups
Prof. Dr. M. Emel Alphan warned, “It should be kept in mind that drinking more than 2 cups of herbal teas, including green tea, may have harmful effects on the kidneys as it increases the diuretic (excessive urination) effect.”
Tea can be consumed comfortably at breakfast without eggs
Prof. Dr. M. Emel Alphan, who also mentioned the type of tea consumption, said:
“Tannins in the structure of tea reduce iron absorption by binding with dietary iron. But this issue has been greatly exaggerated. Tea is a drink that is usually consumed for breakfast. Egg is a food containing iron. If eggs are not eaten for breakfast, there is no need to avoid tea. In other words, you can easily drink tea with a breakfast that includes cheese, olives, etc. Tea or coffee can be drunk 45 minutes after an egg breakfast.
In order to increase iron absorption, it is beneficial to include foods containing vitamin C such as tomatoes, green peppers, lemons, oranges, etc. at breakfast or lunch/dinner.”
Can tea be consumed immediately after a meal?
Prof. Dr. M. Emel Alphan also pointed to the habit of consuming tea immediately after meals and said, “In restaurants, tea is usually served after the meal. If people do not have iron deficiency anemia, there is no need to worry, tea can be drunk. Even if there is iron deficiency anemia, tea can be drunk 45 minutes after meals. Light and lemon tea can be recommended.”
Chamomile tea not only calms
Prof. Dr. Emel Alphan said that a study with chamomile tea, a popular caffeine-free tea often used to promote sleep and reduce stress, examined the effects on insulin resistance and inflammatory markers in Type 2 diabetics. Prof. Dr. M. Emel Alphan said, “In the study conducted for eight weeks, chamomile tea consumption three times a day (after each meal) was found to have beneficial effects on both of these parameters.”
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