A new study by scientists from China and South Africa has shown that jasmine green tea can improve glucose metabolism and lower blood fat levels, while boosting the body's antioxidant defenses. The results are published in the prestigious journal Food Bioscience.
In simple terms, this means that tea helps the body properly use sugar for energy, rather than storing it in the blood. It also reduces the amount of “bad” fats that can damage blood vessels, while strengthening the body’s internal “shield” against cell damage.
In an experiment on rats with type 2 diabetes, jasmine tea not only lowered fasting blood sugar levels, but also improved pancreatic function by enhancing insulin production and β-cell repair. It also promoted the accumulation of glycogen in the liver—the body's key energy store—and reduced lipid concentrations (such as total cholesterol, triglycerides, and “bad” LDL cholesterol), which are important for preventing complications of diabetes.
To put it simply: Insulin is the key that opens cells to let sugar (glucose) in for energy. In type 2 diabetes, either there are not enough of these “keys” or the “locks” on the cells are malfunctioning. The study showed that jasmine tea helped the pancreas produce more “keys” and repair the damaged cells that make them. It also forced the liver to store excess sugar as an “energy reserve” (glycogen) for later use, rather than letting it float around in the blood, and it cleared the blood of harmful fats that threaten blood vessels.
The authors note that jasmine tea contains natural nanoparticles and rare earth elements that contribute to a more efficient delivery of its biologically active substances, enhancing the overall therapeutic effects. This whole complex allows the body to more effectively fight oxidative stress and inflammation – processes closely related to metabolic disorders. In addition, jasmine tea had a positive effect on the composition of the intestinal microbiota, which also plays an important role in metabolism and immune response.
In other words, these microscopic particles act as tiny “couriers” that deliver the beneficial substances from the tea directly to the target, making its effect more powerful. Thanks to this, the body is better able to resist oxidative stress – a process that can be compared to the “rusting” of cells from the inside – and reduces hidden inflammation. And the effect on the microbiota means that tea helps maintain the balance of “good” bacteria in the gut, which are our little helpers in digestion and protection against disease.
Although the work has been conducted in animals, the researchers believe that jasmine green tea could be a safe and affordable functional food or adjunct to diabetes therapy, helping to control blood sugar levels and improve overall health. Further human studies are needed to confirm these results.
This is an important clarification, as the human body is much more complex than the rodent body, and reactions can vary. Therefore, before recommending jasmine tea as a treatment, scientists need to make sure that it is equally effective and safe for humans.
