Extracts from green tea and grape seed inhibits the action of certain start-digesting enzymes, thereby offering plant-based options to control blood sugar.
Controlling blood sugar level is considered an effective, long-term therapy for people with type-2 diabetes. One approach is to inhibit the action of specific enzymes, such as alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase, which are responsible for carbohydrate digestion. Balz Frei, from Oregon State University (Oregon, USA), and colleagues completed in-vitro tests of grape seed and green tea extracts, finding that both are rich in epigallocatechin gallate, potent inhibitors of alpha-glucosidase. As well, grape seed extract was found to be effective in inhibiting alpha-amylase. The study authors comment that: “use of plant extracts, especially grape seed and green tea extracts, [maybe] viable alternatives to pharmaceutical inhibitors of… alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase.”
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Meltem Yilmazer-Musa, Anneke M. Griffith, Alexander J. Michels, Erik Schneider, Balz Frei. “Grape Seed and Tea Extracts and Catechin 3-Gallates Are Potent Inhibitors of α-Amylase and [alpha]-Glucosidase Activity.” J. Agric. Food Chem., June 15, 2012.