Global trends in tea and diabetes research: a bibliometric analysis of literature from 2000 to 2024

Tea has attracted significant attention for its potential antidiabetic properties, primarily attributed to its bioactive compounds such as polyphenols. This study aims to systematically evaluate the global research landscape and emerging trends in tea and diabetes. Publications were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection and analyzed using bibliometric tools, including VOSviewer, RStudio, and CiteSpace. A total of 2634 publications from 103 countries/regions (2000-2024) were included, with an annual growth rate of 12.25%. China, the United States, and Japan were the leading contributors. Harvard University and Gan RY were the most influential institution and author, respectively, while Nutrients was the leading journal. Research themes have evolved from early mechanistic studies focusing on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of tea polyphenols to more integrative investigations involving gut microbiota, inflammation, and metabolic regulation. Research on tea and diabetes has shifted toward a more comprehensive and translational framework. Tea polyphenols play important roles in improving insulin sensitivity, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, and modulating metabolic pathways, although challenges such as low bioavailability remain. These findings provide valuable insights into the current research landscape and may inform future studies on diabetes prevention and management.