Diseases associated with high sugar are one of the most common ailments during the history and development of the human being, this is due to the excessive consumption of foods rich in sugar that negatively affect health.
Currently, fast food and the wide variety of desserts and sweets that exist make it even more difficult to resist consuming such foods, which unleashes an endocrine imbalance due to the effort the body makes to produce higher levels of insulin.
In this sense, it is necessary to change eating habits and implement new elements to routines in order to control blood sugar levels.
This is how, in the following article, you will be able to learn about the best and most effective ways to prepare and drink tea, so that you can reduce your sugar naturally and the recommendations that you must follow so that you can enjoy a better quality of life.
Best tea to lower sugar
Natural remedies have been used since ancient times, even more when medicine was not yet a science that was studied and the ancestors did not have current technological advances, however, these customs are still maintained and continue to be just as effective.
Next, you will discover a wonderful list of medicinal plant teas and their preparation so that you can lower sugar in a healthy and natural way:
1. Green tea
Green tea contains polyphenols (1) that help metabolize sugar in the body, so its consumption will help you control blood glucose levels and also contributes to lowering cholesterol and triglycerides, thus becoming the plant ideal for losing weight.
Ingredients:
- ½ tsp. of green tea leaves
- 1 cup of water
Preparation:
- Add half a teaspoon of green tea leaves to a cup of boiling water and steep for 3 minutes.
- Then, strain, sweeten with the sweetener of your choice and consume 3 or 4 cups of green tea daily as a maximum dose.
2. Bean tea
Beans have a large amount of fiber, chromium, vitamin C and antioxidants, it is also considered an extremely effective natural diuretic and cleanser for people who need to lower their sugar levels.
Ingredients:
- 3 dried green bean pods
- 1 cup of water
Preparation:
- Pour the water into a pot and bring to a boil until it reaches a boil, then add the beans and cook for 3 minutes.
- Remove from the heat, let rest for 5 minutes, remove the pods and eat.
- This tea can be consumed up to 3 times a day.
3. Fenugreek tea
According to an article published by the Spanish Society of Family and Community Pharmacy , fenugreek has hypoglycemic properties (2) , that is, ingesting it provides effects that reduce blood sugar levels.
For its part, fenugreek is a plant belonging to the Fabaceae family, of Mediterranean origin, its leaves are similar to those of a clover and its seed is commonly used as a spice, in addition to being a plant rich in fiber, for which makes it an excellent remedy to reduce sugar.
Ingredients:
- fenugreek leaves
- Water
Preparation:
- Bring a cup of water to a boil and add a handful of fenugreek leaves.
- Let the infusion rest for 5 minutes, strain the preparation and sweeten.
- You can consume it up to 3 times a day.
4. Stonebreaker tea
The stonebreaker plant is a wild medicinal species, known for its diuretic, antioxidant and hypoglycemic properties, in addition, it has qualities that help combat insulin resistance and liver diseases.
Ingredients:
- 20 g of stonebreaker leaves
- 1 liter of water
Preparation:
- Add the stonebreaker leaves to a pot with the water and let it boil for 5 minutes.
- Then, rest the infusion for 10 more minutes, strain and serve.
- It is recommended not to add sugar to stonebreaker tea and consume it 2 times a day at room temperature.
5. Cinnamon tea
Cassia cinnamon is known to contain potassium , B vitamins, calcium, iron and zinc , therefore its intake is used to reduce glucose and cholesterol levels in the blood, thus improving the health of obese people or people with diabetes. .
Ingredients:
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 cup of water
Preparation:
- Pour the water into a pot, when it reaches its boiling point add the cinnamon stick and cook for 5 minutes.
- Then, let the infusion rest for 15 minutes, remove the cinnamon stick and serve.
- This tea should be consumed in moderation, especially in people who suffer from cardiovascular diseases or high blood pressure.
6. Sage tea
A study carried out by the Cuban Magazine of Medicinal Plants , highlights the medicinal use of certain plants to lower sugar, where sage is considered one of the plants commonly used to reduce sugar due to its hypoglycemic effects (3) .
This is because its ursolic acid content helps reduce high blood glucose levels, which is why it is one of the most important plants in the diet of people with diabetes or who want to reduce levels. of sugar.
Ingredients:
- 15 g sage leaves
- 250 ml of water
Preparation:
- Place the water in a pot and bring it to the fire until it boils, add the sage leaves, cover the preparation, place the flame over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes.
- Then, remove from the heat, let the infusion rest for 10 minutes, strain and serve.
7. Bitter gourd tea
Bitter gourd is a vegetable commonly used in Africa and Asia as a medicinal plant, where its main use is to lower blood sugar levels, however, it is also used as an antibiotic and antiviral.
This is due to the fact that the plant in general has alkaloid, saponin and protein properties, which when combined have a hypoglycemic effect, that is, its consumption significantly reduces blood glucose in the body.
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp. dried bitter gourd leaves
- 1 cup of water
Preparation:
- Add the dried bitter gourd leaves to the water and cook until it reaches a boil, then let it steep for 10 minutes.
- After the time, strain the preparation and serve.
8. Carqueja tea
Carqueja is a medicinal plant that contains hypoglycemic and purifying properties, which in turn help combat metabolic syndrome and promote weight loss , as well as eliminate toxins from the body, improving its function.
Ingredients:
- 25 g carqueja leaves
- 1 liter of water
Preparation:
- Boil the water, add the carqueja leaves and let the infusion stand for 15 minutes so that the water absorbs the plant’s nutrients.
- Then, strain the preparation and serve.
- It is important to note that carqueja is usually bitter, in this sense, you can improve its flavor by adding the sweetener of your choice.
9. Insulin Plant Tea
The cissus sicyoides or insulin plant, is a species known for its anti-diabetic characteristics thanks to its content of: saponins (4) , flavonoids (5) , triterpenoids (6) , tannins (7) and alkaloids, antioxidants, iron, proteins and fiber.
Therefore, it makes it one of the most effective plants as a treatment to lower blood sugar.
Note: Its consumption must be controlled by a specialist, since it has contraindications in cardiac patients.
Ingredients:
- 2 sheets of vegetable insulin
- 1 cup of water
Preparation:
- Boil the water together with the vegetable insulin leaves for 3 minutes.
- Let the preparation rest so that it infuses and the plant releases all its properties.
- Then, strain the tea and serve.
10. Cow’s Foot Tea
This plant is known for the shape of its leaf that is similar to a cow’s leg, its hypoglycemic medicinal properties help fight diabetes due to its similar effect to the insulin hormone secreted by the body, but in some cases, its deficit is the main cause of hyperglycemia.
For its part, the cow’s foot contains a powerful diuretic action, improving the detoxification of the body and eliminating unnecessary fluids.
Ingredients:
- 6 leaves of cow’s foot
- 1 liter of water
Preparation:
- Pour the water into a pot and add the cow leg leaves, cook over high heat for 10 minutes.
- Then, strain the preparation, bottle and consume the tea 2 to 3 cups daily.
11. Infusion of copalchi
This plant has hypoglycemic and antipyretic properties, it is also used as an aperitif and a natural refresher.
Its action is due to the fact that it has a reducing agent known as coutareoside, this is responsible for stimulating the pancreas in terms of the secretion of hormones , thus allowing a better metabolization of carbohydrates , sugars and fats, which in turn contributes to the lowering of blood glucose.
Ingredients:
- 20 g copalchi leaves
- 1 cup of water
Preparation:
- Bring the water to a boil and add the copalchi leaves, cook for 3 minutes, remove from the heat and let the infusion rest for 10 minutes.
- Then, strain, serve and add the sweetener of your choice, since the plant tends to have a bitter taste.
12. Ginseng infusion
The hypoglycemic effects of this medicinal plant are due to its ginsenoside content (8) that favor the metabolization of sugars present in food, so it is recommended to drink this tea before each meal, so that its effect will prevail during the day. Digestive process.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp. dried ginseng leaves
- 1 cup of water
Preparation:
- Pour the water into a pot and cook until it boils, remove from the heat and add the tablespoon of dried ginseng leaves, let the mixture infuse for 10 minutes.
- After the time, strain the preparation and serve.
13. Gymnema infusion
This powerful medicinal plant helps the production and secretion of the insulin hormone in the body, stimulates the regeneration of pancreatic beta cells and increases the peripheral utilization of glucose, making it the ideal plant for the consumption of people suffering from diabetes.
Note: Its consumption must be regulated because it has side effects that can decrease the sense of taste in people.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp. dried gymnema leaves
- 1 cup of water
Preparation:
- Place the water in a pot and cook until it reaches its boiling point, remove from the heat and add the gymnema leaves, cover the preparation and let it infuse for 10 minutes.
- Subsequently, strain the infusion and serve. Consume 1 or 2 cups of infusion daily.
14. Tea plant infusion
The tea plant has among its properties magnesium , iron, calcium and potassium , so its consumption helps to metabolize glucose and works as a natural diuretic, in addition, due to its high caffeine content, the tea plant is used to lose weight and regulate metabolic syndrome.
Ingredients:
- 1 bag of tea plant leaves
- 1 cup of water
Preparation:
- Place the water in a pot and cook until it reaches its boiling point, pour the liquid into a cup and add the tea leaf bag.
- Cover the infusion and let it rest for 10 minutes so that the heat better concentrates the properties of the plant in the water.
- Later, remove the bag and consume.
15. Yacon infusion
Yacon has properties similar to insulin, which notoriously regulates the glycemic indices in the body, in addition, its root has the peculiarity of containing inulin, that is, it contains sugars that are not metabolized by the human body.
In addition, the plant is rich in water and fiber, which favors the metabolism of fats and reduces sugar levels.
Ingredients:
- 1 dried yacon leaf
- 1 cup of water
Preparation:
- Boil the water with the dried yacon leaf for 5 minutes, then remove from heat and let stand for 10 more minutes.
- Strain the tea and serve, you can consume it 2 times a day lukewarm or at room temperature.
Recommendations to control blood sugar levels
Blood sugar levels can also be controlled if you adapt your lifestyle to the following recommendations, since they are ideal activities, routines, and lifestyles to keep your glycemic level stable and improve your health condition:
Regulate carbohydrate intake
A study published by the journal Nutrición Hospitalari a, determined that diets low in carbohydrates or carbohydrates are effective for the treatment of type II diabetes or in people who want to reduce their sugar levels (9) .
Note: Carbohydrates are the sugars, starches and fibers that some foods contain, so the consumption of these can alter cholesterol levels, triglycerides and therefore blood sugar.
Foods that should be avoided are: bread, cookies, starchy vegetables such as potatoes, bananas and corn, pasta, rice, among others that, when consumed excessively, alter sugar levels, so regulate your intake is essential to lower blood glucose.
Increase fiber intake
Fiber intake delays the absorption of carbohydrate glucose, that is, it acts as a natural blocker so that your body does not absorb large amounts of sugars present in some foods.
Therefore, a diet rich in soluble fiber benefits to lower blood sugar levels, therefore, the best foods rich in fiber are: oats , nuts , beans and apples , they are an excellent source of fiber natural.
Consume foods with a low glycemic index
To combat high blood sugar levels, it is important that you eat foods with a low amount of added sugars, avoiding poor quality ones and replacing them with natural sweeteners .
Note: In the event that they are natural foods, you should bear in mind that some have a higher concentration of sugar than others but they are still naturally occurring sugars, therefore they are less harmful than those that contain refined sugar.
Therefore, you should adapt your diet to foods that are low in the glycemic index and that contain a large amount of water and fiber, so that your body metabolizes the stored glucose and your levels stabilize.
Consume foods high in chromium and magnesium
Chromium has the particularity of increasing the capacity and development of cells that regulate insulin levels in the body.
Therefore, the consumption of foods rich in chromium such as: tomato, broccoli, pear, egg yolk and beef, will help you stabilize your blood sugar levels.
For its part, magnesium helps as a stimulant for the transit of glucose in the body, preventing it from accumulating in the tissues but rather being metabolized by the body and can be consumed through: spinach and green leafy vegetables , avocado, quinoa, sesame, almonds , among others.
stay hydrated
Most of the human body is made up of water, in addition, the significant consumption of this vital liquid improves the function of all the systems that make up the organism.
In this sense, water as a benefit for the regulation of glucose, is due to the fact that the greater the consumption of liquid, the body begins to metabolize and discard all the toxins that are not necessary for its proper functioning, which favors the synthesis of sugar. in the blood.
To highlight: One of the main causes of diabetes is dehydration, for this reason, the consumption of 1.5 to 2 liters of water daily in adults is recommended, including the wonderful medicinal plant teas mentioned above.
rest properly
The functions of the body always improve when you rest correctly, this is because the body needs to recover from daily activities, in addition, sleeping properly restores the physical and psychological functions of the body, which will significantly improve your health.
Avoid stress
The constant episodes of stress trigger a series of elements that in turn contribute to a poor diet, increase the possibility of suffering from sleep disorders, create anxiety and keep the body in constant tension.
All these characteristics directly affect the body and its proper functioning, which can reduce the production of the insulin hormone, lead to other pathologies at the cardiac level and suffer from muscle tension.
For these reasons, it is imperative that you reduce your stress levels and learn to control the situations that generate it so that together with medical treatment you can improve and achieve a balance in your glycemic levels.
Perform physical exercise
An article published by the Mayo Clinic , reveals that physical activity helps control sugar levels, especially in patients who have already been diagnosed with diabetes, it also helps to lose weight and improves heart health (10) .
For this reason, it is recommended that before starting physical exercise, you check your blood sugar level and have breakfast, likewise, you should carry out activities according to your current physical condition, starting with stretching, short walks, bike rides or swimming.
It is also important to check sugar levels during and after finishing physical activities, so you can get better control and notice if there are significant changes thanks to physical exercise.
Key takeaways
- Diseases associated with high sugar are one of the most common ailments during the history and development of the human being, this is due to the excessive consumption of foods rich in sugar that negatively affect health.
- Fortunately, there are many ways to control blood sugar levels naturally and simply by changing your habits. Among them is the consumption of tea from some medicinal plants such as sage, copalchi, carqueja, green tea, insulin plant tea, tea plant, among others.
- Other ways to regulate blood sugar levels is to regulate the consumption of carbohydrates and increase the consumption of fiber, this can be by eating foods such as oats, nuts, apples, etc. Also doing physical activity, avoiding stress and resting properly.
- In the same way, to regulate blood sugar levels, we recommend staying hydrated, since the greater the consumption of liquid, the body begins to metabolize and discard all the toxins that are not necessary for its proper functioning. Also consume foods high in chromium and magnesium such as tomato, broccoli, pear, spinach, almonds, etc.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.