Can people with diabetes drink black tea?

Diabetes patients can drink black tea, but should consume it in moderation and follow certain principles. Black tea is rich in various nutrients such as carotene, vitamin A, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, caffeine, and active substances like tea polyphenols. These components offer multiple health benefits, including stimulating alertness, relieving fatigue, promoting saliva production to quench thirst, diuresis, and reducing edema. For diabetes patients specifically, the tea polyphenols in black tea can help prevent diabetes and reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Moderate consumption may also stimulate insulin secretion and aid in controlling blood glucose levels. Black tea also contains a certain amount of caffeine; excessive consumption may lead to symptoms such as emotional excitement, insomnia, and gastrointestinal discomfort. Therefore, diabetes patients should mainly consume weak tea, avoid drinking overly strong black tea, and should not drink it right before bedtime.