Countries with high black tea consumption have lower type 2 diabetes rates, compared to other nations, researchers reported in BMJ Open today. The authors carried out a mathematical analysis of data from fifty different nations.
Worldwide prevalence of type 2 diabetes has risen six-fold over the past twenty-five years. By 2030, there will be approximately 438 million people with the disease, compared to 285 million in 2010, according to the International Diabetes Federation.
Previous studies have linked black tea consumption to several health benefits. Notably, a Scottish study published in Aging Cell in March 2008 appears to concur with the findings of this research in concluding that black tea may help combat type 2 diabetes.
The researchers gathered and analyzed data provided by Data Mining International on fermented black tea consumption in 50 countries. The data, which was based on 2009 sales, included nations in every continent.
They also analyzed data provided by WHO (World Health Organization) and focused on the prevalence of the following diseases:
Ireland is the biggest tea drinker per head in the world, with consumption at 2kg per year per person, the United Kingdom came a close second, and then Turkey. The lowest black tea consumers were Mexico, Morocco, China, Brazil and South Korea.
With the use of PCA (principal component analysis), a type of statistical approach, they managed to find out what impact black tea consumption had on the health indicators selected at the population level.
They found that black tea affected diabetes rates, but not the other diseases.
After further analysis, they were able to confirm their initial findings regarding high black tea consumption and lower type 2 diabetes prevalence.
The authors emphasized that the quality and consistency of the information among the 50 nations probably varied, as well as the criteria internationally used for diagnosing diabetes. “And what may seem positive at the population level may not work as well as the individual level,” they wrote.
Even so, their findings support those from prior studies.
The authors wrote:
“These original study results are consistent with previous biological, physiological, and ecological studies conducted on the potential of [black tea] on diabetes and obesity“…and they provide “valuable additional scientific information at the global level.”
The scientific community has become increasingly interested in the potential health benefits of green tea, which contains catechins (simple flavonoids). Catechins are believed to have anti-inflammatory properties.
Green tea turns into black tea during the fermentation process. Fermentation induces a range of complex flavonoids, such as thearubigins and theaflavins, which have also been attributed with several health benefits.
Below is a list of other health benefits that have been linked to black tea consumption:
- Black tea may help lower blood pressure
- Black tea alleviates stress by lowering cortisol, a stress hormone
- Three or more cups of black or green tea a day significantly reduce the risk of stroke
- Black tea could be an antidote for anthrax
- Rinsing your mouth with black tea reduces plaque buildup
- Green and black tea were shown to slow down prostate cancer growth
Written by Christian Nordqvist