NEW YORK, Oct 4, (Agencies): Regular consumption of "dark tea" is associated with a significantly lower risk of prediabetes and diabetes, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes. Researchers from the University of Adelaide in Australia and Southeast University in China analyzed data from nearly 2,000 adults across China, examining their tea-drinking habits and conducting tests for insulin resistance and glucose levels.

After accounting for lifestyle factors, the study found that daily tea consumption was linked to reduced insulin resistance and increased glucose excretion in urine. Individuals who consumed tea daily had a 15% lower risk of prediabetes and a 28% reduced risk of type 2 diabetes compared to those who never drank tea.

Dr. Tongzhi Wu, co-lead researcher from the University of Adelaide, emphasized the potential protective effects of habitual tea drinking on blood sugar management, including increased glucose excretion in urine, improved insulin resistance, and better blood sugar control.

The most significant benefits were observed among consumers of "dark tea," a distinct category of tea in China produced through microbial fermentation. Dark tea varieties include Pu-erh tea, Liubao tea, Fuzhuan brick tea, Qingzhuan brick tea, and Kangzhuan brick tea. The fermentation process involved in producing dark tea may lead to potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, improved insulin sensitivity, enhanced insulin-producing cell function, and a more diverse gut microbiome.

While the study suggests that dark tea's effects may resemble those of a class of diabetes drugs known as SGLT-2 inhibitors, experts like Dr. Utpal Pajvani caution against making direct comparisons. Although dark tea drinkers exhibited increased glucose excretion in urine similar to SGLT-2 inhibitors, the levels of glucose excretion were relatively small compared to the drugs. Further research is needed to fully understand dark tea's mechanisms on kidney function.

Dr. Abasalon Gutierrez, an associate professor of endocrinology, notes that other studies have suggested potential diabetes risk reductions from green tea, coffee, and fermented beverages like kombucha. He also highlights the importance of a Mediterranean diet, including components like nuts, whole grains, fiber, fruits, and dairy, in reducing diabetes risk.

Researchers acknowledge that their study does not definitively prove the benefits of daily tea consumption on blood sugar control but suggest it as a potential dietary improvement for individuals seeking to enhance their health. Further research is planned to explore and confirm these findings.