Black tea has long been known for its antioxidants, immune boosting and antihypertensive properties. Now it turns out that it could have another health benefit.
Researchers studied the polysaccharide levels of green, oolong and black teas to determine whether they could be used to treat diabetes. Polysaccharides, a type of carbohydrate that includes starch and cellulose, may benefit people with diabetes because they help retard absorption of glucose. This latest study concentrated on a natural polysaccharide compound that mimics type 2 diabetes drugs Precose and Glyset. The tea polysaccharides reduce blood sugar by inhibiting alpha-glucosidase, an enzyme that turns starch into glucose. Precose and Glyset work inhibiting this enzyme as well.
The researchers found that of the three teas, the polysaccharides in black tea had the most glucose-inhibiting properties. The black tea polysaccharides also showed the highest scavenging effect on free radicals that are involved in the onset of diseases such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.
Reference: "Black Tea May Fight Diabetes" found at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090728172604.htm and http://www.ift.org/cms/?pid=1002096
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