Hello, do you know the difference between “tea” and “beverage”? As a Nigerian, it can be challenging to distinguish between a cup of tea and a cup of hot beverage. Let me help clarify.
A beverage is any drink other than water, so teas are a type of beverage. Tricky, right?
There are different types of beverages:
Alcoholic beverages: These are drinks with alcohol content and should be avoided by anyone with a chronic illness like diabetes. Alcohol consumption can damage the liver, and the majority of diabetics already have fatty liver. If you want to protect your liver, then stay away from alcoholic beverages.
Non-alcoholic beverages: Some examples of non-alcoholic beverages are smoothies and soft drinks. Smoothies are a preferred option if you want to live a healthy life. Filled with antioxidants, fibers, essential vitamins, and minerals, smoothies are nutrient-dense drinks.
Warm beverages: Here we have teas and warm milk and chocolate drinks. It is important to note that milk and chocolate drinks, which we usually consume with bread, are filled with added sugar, which is inflammatory and can lead to an increase in blood sugar levels. So what do you do? Switch to TEAS!
Here are four (4) healthy teas everyone with type 2 diabetes can drink. They should be taken first thing in the morning. These teas are known to repair the body, improve insulin resistance, and maintain overall health.
Cinnamon Tea: Cinnamon has a great amount of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. What this means is that cinnamon can help your body fight off infections and facilitate body repair. More importantly, studies have shown that cinnamon can improve insulin resistance, thereby bringing down blood sugar levels. There is strong evidence supporting this. This is how to prepare Cinnamon Tea: Put 2 stalks of cinnamon into a kettle containing water. Boil for 15 minutes. Pour out the extract and drink. Alternatively, you can add a tablespoonful of cinnamon powder into a glass of warm water, stir it very well, and enjoy.
Hibiscus (Zobo) Tea: This is a very healthy tea for diabetics if prepared properly. Zobo tea has been shown to reduce bad cholesterol levels in the body. Type 2 diabetics are prone to high levels of bad cholesterol, so daily consumption of Zobo tea can help take care of your cholesterol level. This tea contains high amounts of antioxidants and prevents the accumulation of fat cells, which ultimately leads to a reduction in body weight. Here's how to prepare Zobo tea: Add a handful of dried Zobo leaves to a kettle with a glass of water. Bring the water to a boil. Extract the tea into a cup and enjoy. You can add ginger to taste.
Soursop Tea: Packed with lots of vitamin C, soursop is your go-to fruit for your daily dose of vitamin C. Soursop has a lot of fiber, which aids in maintaining a healthy digestive system. Soursop also contains an amazing amount of antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that reduce what is called oxidative stress, thereby reducing one's risk of coming down with inflammation and certain illnesses. Here's how to prepare Soursop tea: Add 5 leaves of soursop to a kettle with a glass of water. Bring the water to a boil. Extract the tea into a cup and enjoy.
Enjoying hot healthy teas in the mornings is an effective way to keep your sugar level within the normal range. Remember, do not add sugar to your teas. Sugar is very inflammatory and can lead to a number of health problems.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you need further assistance.