Chamomile Tea might Help cut down Diabetes Risk

[admin]

According to a latest research done by UK and Japanese researchers, drinking chamomile tea daily can help cut down blood sugar levels.

Consuming chamomile tea can help control the complications which can develop in a person suffering from type 2 diabetesdefine, say the researchers. It can also aid in preventing loss of vision, nerve and kidney damage.

Researchers from University of Toyama, led by Atsushi Kato fed chamomile extract to diabetic rats for 21 days. Then they compared the results with a group of animals on normal diet.

It was discovered that blood glucose levels were noticeably lower in the animals which were fed the extract. It was also found that there was a reduction in the activity of an enzyme called aldose reductase in tissue samples.

Aldose reductase basically helps in converting glucose into a sugar alcohol called sorbitol. The activity of this enzyme increases as glucose levels rise in the blood in people suffering from type 2 diabetes.

But Charity Diabetes UK has warned patients to abstain from acting on the findings until further research is carried out.

However, researchers at the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry said that the study has increased the possibility of developing a new anti-diabetes drug.

Chamomile or Camomile is a plant that has an apple-like scent. It is a member of the sunflower family. The chamomile flower is mostly consumed in the form of a bitter herb tea infusion.

It has a calming effect on the digestive tract, eases spasms of irritable bowel syndrome and menstrual cramps. Chamomile has sedative properties and is often taken as a measure against insomnia or anxiety.

But exercise is the best option if one wants to lower the risk of diabetes. Dr. Victoria King of the Charity Diabetes, UK said, “Eating a healthy balanced diet, taking regular physical activity and adhering to any prescribed medicines remain key ways to effectively control blood glucose levels, blood pressure and blood fats.”

He added, “Good diabetes management will help reduce the risk of serious complications such as heart disease, stroke and blindness.”