Chamomile is best known for its calming and relaxing action, being used to control anxiety, improve sleep quality and relieve headaches. Chamomile tea is also indicated for times of tension, to eliminate swelling in the eye area, prevent heart disease and relieve symptoms of premenstrual tension. But the benefits of chamomile tea don’t stop there: according to one study, this drink is also capable of lowering blood sugar levels.

Chamomile Compounds

Among the active compounds of chamomile are terpenoids, flavonoids, coumaribs and other constituents. Due to its properties, chamomile has been shown to be useful for treating wounds, sunburn, eczema, ulcers, neuralgia, sciatica, rheumatic pain and other health conditions.

The tea from the plant can also be used to treat gastrointestinal problems such as flatulence, nausea, indigestion, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Tea is also used as a mild sedative to treat insomnia and other nervous conditions.

According to recent studies, chamomile also has the potential to lower blood sugar levels in hyperglycemia. It is believed that high levels of polyphenolic compounds would be largely responsible for these hypoglycemic effects.

Chamomile has been shown to control transient hyperglycemia, which is usually seen after a meal. This research was carried out with rats and the hypoglycemic effect was also observed in normal animals, suggesting that chamomile tea should be consumed with a sweetening agent, such as brown sugar or honey.

Chamomile tea for diabetics

The study conducted at the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in Iran, points out that chamomile tea is able to reduce blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes. The research was carried out with the participation of 64 volunteers aged between 30 and 60 years old with type 2 diabetes.

Participants were divided into two groups: one of them drank only water, while the other, in addition to water, also consumed chamomile tea. From this, the researchers found that three cups (150 ml each) of chamomile tea have the ability to reduce sugar levels in the body of diabetics and also increase antioxidant activities.

Other allied foods for individuals who have diabetes are avocados; oat; fish like salmon; sardine; tuna fish; horsetail and others; non-fat yogurt; almonds; legumes; functional flours; linseed and chia.