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Chamomile tea 'may ease diabetes' | Chamomile tea 'may ease diabetes' |
(29 minutes later) | |
Drinking chamomile tea daily may help prevent the complications of type 2 diabetes, such as loss of vision and nerve and kidney damage, a study says. | Drinking chamomile tea daily may help prevent the complications of type 2 diabetes, such as loss of vision and nerve and kidney damage, a study says. |
UK and Japanese researchers fed a chamomile extract to diabetic rats. | UK and Japanese researchers fed a chamomile extract to diabetic rats. |
The extract appeared to cut blood sugar levels and block activity of an enzyme associated with the development of diabetic complications. | The extract appeared to cut blood sugar levels and block activity of an enzyme associated with the development of diabetic complications. |
Charity Diabetes UK cautioned against patients acting on the findings until further research had been carried out. | |
However, researchers say the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry study raises hope of a new anti-diabetes drug. More research would be needed before we can come to any firm conclusions about the role chamomile tea plays in fighting diabetes-related complications Dr Victoria KingDiabetes UK | However, researchers say the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry study raises hope of a new anti-diabetes drug. More research would be needed before we can come to any firm conclusions about the role chamomile tea plays in fighting diabetes-related complications Dr Victoria KingDiabetes UK |
Cases of type 2 diabetes, many of which are linked to obesity, are on the increase throughout the developed world. | Cases of type 2 diabetes, many of which are linked to obesity, are on the increase throughout the developed world. |
Chamomile, also known as manzanilla, has been used for years as a medicinal cure-all to treat a variety of medical problems including stress, colds and menstrual cramps. | Chamomile, also known as manzanilla, has been used for years as a medicinal cure-all to treat a variety of medical problems including stress, colds and menstrual cramps. |
Researchers from University of Toyama, led by Atsushi Kato, fed chamomile extract to a group of diabetic rats for 21 days and compared the results with a group of control animals on a normal diet. | Researchers from University of Toyama, led by Atsushi Kato, fed chamomile extract to a group of diabetic rats for 21 days and compared the results with a group of control animals on a normal diet. |
Enzyme inhibition | Enzyme inhibition |
Blood glucose levels - high levels of which are a sign of diabetes - were significantly lower in the animals fed the extract, which appeared to inhibit production of the sugar in the liver. | Blood glucose levels - high levels of which are a sign of diabetes - were significantly lower in the animals fed the extract, which appeared to inhibit production of the sugar in the liver. |
Tests also showed reduced activity of an enzyme called aldose reductase in tissue samples from the extract group. | Tests also showed reduced activity of an enzyme called aldose reductase in tissue samples from the extract group. |
This enzyme helps change glucose into a sugar alcohol called sorbitol. | This enzyme helps change glucose into a sugar alcohol called sorbitol. |
In people with type 2 diabetes, the activity of aldose reductase increases as glucose levels rise in the blood. | In people with type 2 diabetes, the activity of aldose reductase increases as glucose levels rise in the blood. |
However, sorbitol does not move easily across cell membranes and it can collect in excess quantity, particularly in eye and nerve cells, where it can cause serious damage. | However, sorbitol does not move easily across cell membranes and it can collect in excess quantity, particularly in eye and nerve cells, where it can cause serious damage. |
Dr Victoria King, of the charity Diabetes UK, said: "More research would be needed before we can come to any firm conclusions about the role chamomile tea plays in fighting diabetes-related complications. | Dr Victoria King, of the charity Diabetes UK, said: "More research would be needed before we can come to any firm conclusions about the role chamomile tea plays in fighting diabetes-related complications. |
"Diabetes UK wouldn't recommend people with diabetes increase their chamomile tea intake just yet. | "Diabetes UK wouldn't recommend people with diabetes increase their chamomile tea intake just yet. |
"Eating a healthy balanced diet, taking regular physical activity and adhering to any prescribed medicines remain key ways to effectively control blood glucose levels, blood pressure and blood fats. | "Eating a healthy balanced diet, taking regular physical activity and adhering to any prescribed medicines remain key ways to effectively control blood glucose levels, blood pressure and blood fats. |
"Good diabetes management will help reduce the risk of serious complications such as heart disease, stroke and blindness." | "Good diabetes management will help reduce the risk of serious complications such as heart disease, stroke and blindness." |
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