There’s never been a better time to pop the kettle on with new research revealing drinking three cups of black tea a day can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes and may even help you reduce your blood glucose levels.

Two studies show that black tea has a glucose-lowering effect that could help prevent and look after type 2 diabetes, which affects about 220,000 Queenslanders.

Experts say the findings suggest around three cups a day (even with milk) might help the body regulate blood glucose levels more effectively.

Research from Framingham State University in the United States, analysed black tea leaves after being immersed in hot water. They extracted a number of polyphenols – antioxidants – all of which were shown to block enzymes that push up blood glucose from the digestion of carbohydrates.

They had significant activity against the enzymes, alpha amylase and alpha-glucosidase, suggesting black tea extract may reduce levels of glucose normally associated with these digestive enzymes.

In a second study from Japan, a freeze dried powder extract of black tea leaves was found to have a similar effect on the two enzymes.