Herbal teas are the comforting beverages we usually turn to when the temperatures drop. But if you're diabetic or taking blood thinners, there are three you should avoid, according to one expert. Here are which ones.
Herbal teas are perfect for warming up and enjoying the benefits of certain plants. But be careful because if you are diabetic, it can interact with your medications and influence your blood sugar, according to a specialized dietitian, Lorena Drago, who answers Eating Well.
Beware of interactions between certain herbal teas and your medications
According to the expert, " herbal teas should be considered as food supplements. It is important to check with your endocrinologist that they are safe before drinking them ," she first indicates.
In fact, herbal tea " can interact with one or more of your medications, affect your blood sugar, cause hypoglycemia and lead to other health problems ."
What herbal teas should you avoid?
For diabetic patients, the herbal tea to avoid is aloe vera. It is recommended to relieve digestive discomfort, but can disrupt your blood sugar levels. Erin Palinski-Wade, another dietitian interviewed, reminds us that " research has shown that consuming aloe vera can have a drastic effect on blood sugar, which raises the fear of a hypoglycemic episode depending on the patient's medication treatment ."
Patients on blood thinners should avoid chamomile and fenugreek.
For patients taking blood thinners like warfarin, two other types of herbs should be avoided. These are chamomile and fenugreek. " In fact, the potential interactions are so concerning that one study specifically advised against recommending chamomile to patients taking warfarin because of the potential increased risk of bleeding," the two dietitians say. " Fenugreek teas should also be avoided if, in addition to diabetes treatment, you are taking blood thinners."
For them, the real key to managing diabetes is to follow " a low-glycemic diet combined with physical exercise ." In practice, this means " eating a high-fiber food at every meal or snack, staying physically active, and eating more lean protein and healthy fats."