Besides giving you a kick start in the morning, your favourite cup of tea has the potential to fight against one of the world`s biggest life-threatening disease diabetes, claim researchers.

According to scientists at Dundee University, UK, an ordinary tea might help in combating Type 2 diabetes, Health News reported.

Dr Graham Rena, an insulin researcher at the University of Dundee`s Neurosciences Institute, believes the health benefits of so-called `builders` tea` may actually surpass those of other drinks, including green tea, which many claim has cancer-fighting properties and can help with weight loss.

In type 2 diabetes, insulin is produced by the body in insufficient quantities or does not work properly.

Rena discovered that chemicals in black tea, known as theaflavins and thearubigins, mimic the action of insulin, which helps the body to convert sugar to energy.

“The prevailing view has been that green tea is the thing we must have for health benefits. But now what we have

found is that the substances that mimic insulin action are in black tea.”

Rena said that another option could be to create a pill from purified tea ingredients. “We would like to see these effects in human trials, and I am trying to get other researchers interested. We are hoping this can be made into a treatment,” he added.--- APP