Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. It is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar.
Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose from food get into human body cells to be used for energy.
In 2014, 8.5% of adults aged 18 years and older had diabetes. In 2019, diabetes was the direct cause of 1.5 million deaths and 48% of all deaths due to diabetes occurred before the age of 70 years.
Chamomile is an aromatic European plant of the daisy family. Chamomile tea that is rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, and other antioxidant and anti-inflammatory chemicals has been used to treat inflammation, skin diseases, wounds, gout, and ulcers. Recent research shows that chamomile plant extract suppresses the growth of human cancer cells. It could also help manage diabetes.
Chamomile tea appears to have positive effects on glycemic control and hyperlipidemia, based on the human clinical trials.
A study in 64 people with diabetes found that participants who drank 150 mL of chamomile tea made with 3 grams of chamomile 3 times per day after meals for 8 weeks experienced significant reductions in HbA1c and insulin levels, compared with a control group (Nutrition. 2016 Jan;32(1):66-72).
Chamomile tea and diabetes
