Type 2 diabetes would be hassle-free were it not for high blood sugar levels – the main threat posed by the chronic condition. Blood sugar supplies energy to your cells but having too much of it in your bloodstream can damage blood vessels, causing all manner of complications. The pancreas normally moderates blood sugar by releasing insulin but in a person with diabetes, this process has gone awry.
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Consequently, a person with type 2 diabetes must alter their lifestyle to find alternative ways of keeping high blood sugar levels at bay.
One of the most important countermeasures is to watch your carb intake.
Carbohydrate is broken down into blood sugar relatively quickly and therefore has a more pronounced effect on blood sugar levels than either fat or protein.
“This makes awareness of carbohydrate a particular important factor in management of diabetes,” explains Diabetes.co.uk.
Certain items have been shown to slow down carb absorption, thereby stabilising your blood sugar levels.
One that has shown promise is kombucha tea, a fermented tea that has been consumed for thousands of years.
A study in diabetic rats found that kombucha slowed down the digestion of carbs, which reduced blood sugar levels.
Kombucha made from green tea is likely to be even more beneficial, as green tea itself has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels.
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Studies show that green tea may improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels.
What’s more, green tea has also been shown to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the first place.
One study in Japanese individuals found that those who drank the most green tea had an approximately 42 percent lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
Furthermore, in a review of seven studies with a total of 286,701 individuals, tea drinkers had an 18 percent lower risk of diabetes.
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In addition to adhering to a diabetes-friendly diet, it is also important to engage in regular exercise.
According to Mayo Clinic, when you exercise, your muscles use sugar (glucose) for energy.
Regular physical activity also helps your body use insulin more efficiently.
As Mayo Clinic explains, these factors work together to lower your blood sugar level.
The NHS says to aim for 2.5 hours of activity a week to reap the benefits.
“You can be active anywhere as long as what you’re doing gets you out of breath,” advises the health site.
Type 2 diabetes – how to spot it
Many people have type 2 diabetes without realising. This is because symptoms do not necessarily make you feel unwell.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes can include:
- Urinate 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
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