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Permalink Reply by Daena on October 4, 2007 at 7:24pm

I don't think green tea has made any difference to my blood sugar despite the fact that I drink it regularly, up to 2 cups a day. But it is full of antioxidants, which can't be a bad thing, I guess! I drink it because I like how it tastes, and because I get tired of drinking water all the time.

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Permalink Reply by Jenny on October 5, 2007 at 6:23am

Undoubtedly this is another study funded by people who sell Green Tea.

I treat all such health claims for foods with great most of them don't hold up when studies NOT funded by those who profit from them attempt to reproduce their results. In fact, over the years I've been following health and diet news just about every diet or health food or supplement that has been the subject of this kind of fad has been discredited.

And don't forget that these teas often are grown and sold by the same folks who brought you poisoned kid's toothpaste, lead painted baby toys, and the like. Who knows what pesticides or other poisons they contain?

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Permalink Reply by M on October 5, 2007 at 2:05pm

Ah, Jenny, you hit the spot. That's kinda what I was thinking.

So many things come out each day as being good for us / bad for us - we just can't believe much of what 'they' say!

Regardless of what it does or doesn't do, I still like the stuff *slurps on her cuppa* :)

I read something a while ago that said although antioxidants would be good for us, we barely absorb anything from them so they're not really doing a darned thing. Of course, if you THINK you're getting something good, it's likely to do something good for you anyway. Which may be another reason why stuff like this is big news when found but small news when discredited. But it's more likely that people just want to save their own reputations from embarrassment!

I have no faith in any study without doing a little research first. But then I don't trust what I'm researching either. It all makes for interesting reading, but I never know what to believe!

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Permalink Reply by elaine peterson on October 17, 2007 at 5:56pm

I drink a mix of caffeinated green and black teas in the afternoon and even without any carbs to speak of for lunch, my BS will go up. I notice an increase in the AM after coffee. Are you all drinking decaffienated green tea, or does caffeine not effect everyone?

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Permalink Reply by Judith on October 17, 2007 at 6:34pm

I sip decaf green tea all day---over a quart, which is how the Japanese drink it. I trust what my body tells me--it is a soothing ritual that I enjoy. I'm T2 and I've tested it on myself and it does bring my #s down a few points in about 30".

Besides who funded the study, you have to look at how they did it, what part of various plants were used, when and exactly how---was it just the berries? the whole plant? roots and flowers? and harvested in the wild or not and at what time of year. I find the European studies a good starting place. They have a long experience working with these things---I think impacted by the fact that the British royals are advocates and users, though I may be mis-remembering that---it's a fun story though.

As I recall, for the anti-oxidant effect, you have to drink a lot of it, but even small amounts can help in other areas IF your body takes to it. And that is always the BIG IF!

We are all so different and react in complex manners to these things. I think of it like our ancient hunter/gatherer ancestresses---you test a tiny amount and pay attention and listen to what your body tells you is going on. And if you don't drop dead well, hey--try again. Or something.....Be well all!

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