Next time you want to unwind, kick back with one of these blood sugar-friendly brews.

If youre living withdiabetes, you likely spend a lot of time planning what goes on your plate.

But what about what you pour into your glass or mug?

a photo of a woman enjoying a cup of tea

Photo:Getty Images. EatingWell design.

Drinks are easy to overlook.

Yet, they can also have a big impact on your blood sugar.

Luckily, there are plenty of blood sugarfriendly beverages out there.

Tea offers loads of health benefits, and better blood sugar is one of them.

To find out, we asked dietitians.

Heres what they told us.

An imbalanced gut microbiota can lead to decreased glucose tolerance and insulin resistance.

For a healthy afternoon pick-me-up, brew some soothingOrange-Ginger Tea.

Or, enjoy a cup of our no-sugar-addedginger-lemon tea.

Black Tea

Although green and black tea look and taste quite different, they both come from theCamellia sinensisplant.

So, it makes sense that they share many of the same potential health benefits.

That includes supporting better blood sugar.

Researchers arent sure exactly why.

However, they note black teas abundant polyphenols may slow the digestion and absorption of sugars from food.

We dont have to tell you how comforting a cup of black tea is.

But its also ourfavorite tea for energy.

For an afternoon pick-me-up, try it iced in this zippypeach iced tea.

You may have noticed that ginger already plays a starring role in several recipes in this article.

However, if youre a purist, try our simpleginger tea.

All you need is water and a few slices of fresh ginger.

Cinnamon Tea

Cinnamon is more than a beloved baking spice.

It can also be brewed into a delicious tea.

And one older study found that cinnamon tea may help reduce blood glucose in people without diabetes.

you could easily brew a cup by steeping cinnamon sticks in water.

Turmeric Tea

From better brain health to less heart disease, turmeric boasts a long list of health benefits.

Research reveals that it may also reduce blood glucose and help with weight management.What makes it so powerful?

Turmeric contains an active compound called curcumin, which is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.

And, as youve already learned, inflammation and higher blood sugar often go hand-in-hand.

No wonder researchers credit curcumins blood sugarmanaging powers to its anti-inflammatory action.

Research reveals that some types of tea can do good things for your blood sugar.

For optimal blood sugar management, choose unsweetened teas or add a squeeze of citrus for natural sweetness.

So, what are you waiting for?

Get your teapot ready.

Its time to start sipping!

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