Effects of Herbal Tea (Non–Camellia sinensis) on Glucose Homeostasis and Serum Lipids in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract Context Hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia increase the risk for diabetes and its complications, atherosclerosis, heart failure, and stroke. Identification of safe and cost-effective means to reduce risk factors is needed. Herbal teas may be a vehicle to deliver antioxidants and polyphenols for prevention of complications. Objective This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate and summarize the impact of herbal tea (non–Camellia sinensis) on glucose homeostasis and serum lipids in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Data Sources PubMed, FSTA, Web of Science, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception through February 2023 using relevant keyword proxy terms for diabetes, serum lipids, and “non–Camellia sinensis” or “tea.” Data Extraction Data from 14 randomized controlled trials, totaling 551 participants, were included in the meta-analysis of glycemic and serum lipid profile end points. Results Meta-analysis suggested a significant association between drinking herbal tea (prepared with 2-20 g d–1 plant ingredients) and reduction in fasting blood glucose (FBG) (P = .0034) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c; P = .045). In subgroup analysis based on studies using water or placebo as the control, significant reductions were found in serum total cholesterol (TC; P = .024), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; P = .037), and triglyceride (TG; P = .043) levels with a medium effect size. Meta-regression analysis suggested that study characteristics, including the ratio of male participants, trial duration, and region, were significant sources of FBG and HbA1c effect size heterogeneity; type of control intervention was a significant source of TC and LDL-C effect size heterogeneity. Conclusions Herbal tea consumption significantly affected glycemic profiles in individuals with T2D, lowering FBG levels and HbA1c. Significance was seen in improved lipid profiles (TC, TG, and LDL-C levels) through herbal tea treatments when water or placebo was the control. This suggests water or placebo may be a more suitable control when examining antidiabetic properties of beverages. Additional research is needed to corroborate these findings, given the limited number of studies.