Starchy foods tend to cause levels of blood sugar – the main type of sugar found in blood – to spike. This is owing to the high carbohydrate content contained in starchy foods. Carbs are broken down quickly into glucose (blood sugar), which causes levels to soar. Normally, the hormone insulin regulates this rise in blood sugar after eating. However, people with diabetes are stripped of this mechanism.
The researchers found that black tea ingestion after cooked rice intake “significantly” reduced glucose (blood sugar) and insulin compared to placebo drink.
They attributed this effect in part to polyphenols – micronutrients found in tea.
General tips to lower blood sugar
As a general rule, you should go easy on foods that rank high on the glycaemic index (GI).
GI is a rating system for foods containing carbohydrates. It shows how quickly each food affects your blood sugar (glucose) level when that food is eaten on its own.
Type 2 diabetes – symptoms to spot
Many people have type 2 diabetes without realising. This is because symptoms do not necessarily make you feel unwell.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:
- Peeing more than usual, particularly at night
- Feeling thirsty all the time
- Feeling very tired
- Losing weight without trying to
- Itching around your penis or vagina, or repeatedly getting thrush
- Cuts or wounds taking longer to heal
- Blurred vision.
A GP can diagnose type 2 diabetes.
“You’ll need a blood test, which you may have to go to your local health centre for if it cannot be done at your GP surgery,” explains the NHS.