Herbal teas are known for being good for your health, like helping with stress and digestion. People with diabetes might think herbal teas are a good choice instead of sugary drinks.
But not all herbal teas are the same when it comes to managing blood sugar. Some teas can affect blood sugar levels or interact with medications. If you have diabetes, it’s essential to pick your teas wisely to stay safe..
In this article, we’ll look at five herbal teas that people with diabetes should not drink according to dietitians and health experts. We’ll also explain why these teas should be avoided and how they can impact diabetes management. By choosing wisely, you can manage your blood sugar levels better and have a healthier life.
5 Herbal Teas Diabetics Should Avoid
1. Licorice Root Tea
Licorice root tea tastes sweet and can help with sore throats and stomach problems. But it’s not good for people with diabetes.
Why Should You Avoid Licorice Root Tea?
Licorice root contains glycyrrhizin, which can increase blood pressure and water retention. More importantly, some studies suggest that licorice may affect glucose metabolism, potentially leading to higher blood sugar levels.
People who have diabetes might have health problems like high blood pressure and cardiovascular issues, making licorice root tea a risky choice.
Key takeaway: Licorice root tea is best for managing diabetes due to its potential effects on blood sugar and cardiovascular health.
2. Ginseng Tea
Ginseng is often said to give you more energy and help you think better. But it might not be good for people with diabetes, especially if they drink it as tea.
Why Should You Avoid Ginseng Tea?
Ginseng can lower blood sugar levels, which is good. But if you’re already taking medicine for diabetes, this could be a problem. Using ginseng and diabetes medicine together might make your blood sugar drop too much, causing dizziness, confusion, and fainting. In very bad situations, it could even cause death.
Key takeaway: Ginseng tea can affect diabetes medications and make blood sugar levels drop too much. It’s best to avoid it or consult with your doctor before consumption.
3. St. John’s Wort Tea
St. John’s Wort is well-known for possibly helping with feelings of sadness and worry. While these benefits may seem appealing, people with diabetes must exercise caution when consuming this herbal tea.
Why Should You Avoid St. John’s Wort Tea?
St. John’s Wort can change how some medicines work, like insulin for diabetes. It can make the body process these medicines faster, which might raise blood sugar levels.
In addition, it may also interfere with medications prescribed for conditions commonly associated with diabetes, such as high blood pressure or depression.
Key takeaway: St. John’s Wort tea can interfere with the efficacy of diabetes medications, making it harder to manage blood sugar levels.
4. Alfalfa Tea
Alfalfa is known for having lots of good nutrients like vitamins A, C, and K, calcium, and iron. But it might not be good for people with diabetes.
Why Should You Avoid Alfalfa Tea?
Alfalfa contains amino acids like L-canavanine, which may stimulate the immune system. This may seem good, but it can be dangerous for people with type 1 diabetes.
Alfalfa tea can make anticoagulants and anti-diabetes medications less effective. Some parts of alfalfa can cause more inflammation and make diabetes problems worse.
Key takeaway: Alfalfa tea can stimulate the immune system and interfere with diabetes medications, making it an unsuitable choice for people with diabetes.
5. Fenugreek Tea
Fenugreek has been used for a long time to help with stomach problems and swelling. It’s also used to help manage blood sugar levels. But people with diabetes need to be careful when drinking fenugreek tea.
Why Should You Avoid Fenugreek Tea?
Fenugreek seeds have a hypoglycemic effect, meaning they can significantly lower blood sugar levels. This may seem like a good thing for people with diabetes, but it can be dangerous when mixed with diabetes drugs.
The combination of fenugreek tea and medicines like insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents can lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), putting the individual at risk for dizziness, confusion, or even fainting.
Additionally, fenugreek can cause digestive side effects such as bloating and gas, which may be uncomfortable for people with sensitive stomachs.
Key takeaway: Although fenugreek tea has blood sugar-lowering properties, it can cause hypoglycemia when combined with diabetes medications, making it a risky choice for people with diabetes.
Conclusion:
Herbal teas can be good for your health, but not everyone should drink them, especially if you have diabetes. Teas like licorice root and ginseng can affect your blood sugar or cause problems with diabetes medicine. Others, like St. John’s Wort, may reduce the effectiveness of drugs, making blood sugar management more challenging.
If you have diabetes and enjoy drinking herbal teas, it’s essential to be mindful of what you consume. Always consult with your healthcare provider or dietitian before adding new herbal teas to your diet. By making informed choices, you can enjoy the comfort of tea without compromising your health.