Chamomile tea improves glycemic indices and antioxidants status in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Nutrition. 2016 Jan;32(1):66-72. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2015.07.011. Epub 2015 Aug 14.

Abstract

Objectives: Oxidative stress is a major factor in the pathogenesis of diabetes complications. The objectives were to investigate the effects of chamomile tea consumption on glycemic control and antioxidant status in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2 DM).

Methods: This single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 64 subjects with T2 DM (males and females) ages 30 to 60 y. The intervention group (n = 32) consumed chamomile tea (3 g/150 mL hot water) 3 times per day immediately after meals for 8 wk. The control group (n = 32) followed a water regimen for same intervention period. Fasting blood samples, anthropometric measurements, and 3-d, 24-h dietary recalls were collected at the baseline and at the end of the trial. Data were analyzed by independent t test, paired t test, and analysis of covariance.

Results: Chamomile tea significantly decreased concentration of glycosylated hemoglobin, serum insulin levels, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, and serum malondialdehyde, compared with control group (all P < 0.05). Total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase activities were significantly increased by 6.81%, 26.16 %, 36.71 % and 45.06% respectively in chamomile group compared with these variables in control group at the end of the intervention (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Short term intake of chamomile tea has beneficial effects on glycemic control and antioxidant status in patients with T2 DM. A larger sample population and a longer intervention period may be required to show significant clinical improvements.

Keywords: Antioxidant status; Blood glucose; Chamomile; Malondialdehyde; Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use*
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / metabolism
  • Female
  • Glycated Hemoglobin / metabolism
  • Glycemic Index / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Insulin / blood
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Male
  • Malondialdehyde / blood
  • Matricaria*
  • Middle Aged
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
  • Single-Blind Method

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Blood Glucose
  • Glycated Hemoglobin A
  • Insulin
  • Plant Extracts
  • Malondialdehyde