Diabetes mellitus (DM), commonly referred to as diabetes, refers to a group of metabolic diseases that affect how your body uses blood sugar (glucose). According to International Diabetes Federation statistics from 2014, an estimated 387 million people worldwide have diabetes😑. About 90 percent of them have Type 2 diabetes. There are three main types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes.
• In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin. The exact cause is unknown, however risk increases with certain factors like family history, genetics, exposure to certain viruses like the Epstein-Barr virus, and vitamin D deficiency.
• Type 2 diabetes begins when cells fail to respond to insulin properly. Factors that put you at a higher risk include obesity, excess abdominal fat, inactive lifestyle, family history, age, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglyceride levels, and a history of polycystic ovaries.
• Gestational diabetes affects women during pregnancy. Some of the symptoms of high blood sugar include frequent urination, increased thirst or hunger, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, slow healing process and frequent infections. If left untreated, it can cause many complications.
Maintaining normal blood sugar levels is necessary for your overall health. You can do it with a healthy diet, regular exercise, not using tobacco, maintaining a healthy body weight and taking the prescribed medications. You can also try some herbs and spices to ease symptoms and control your blood sugar. Here are the top 10 herbs and spices for diabetes.
Cinnamon:
Cinnamon contains bioactive components that can help lower blood sugar levels.
A 2013 study published in the Annals of Family Medicine and Diabetes Care shows that cinnamon is beneficial for people with Type 2 diabetes.
Based on this study, it may have a beneficial effect on fasting plasma glucose, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels in patients with Type 2 diabetes.
• You can take 1 to 2 grams of cinnamon daily in the form of tea. You can also sprinkle it on your oatmeal, smoothies or use it in cooking and baking.
• Another option is to take cinnamon supplements. However, always consult a doctor for the proper dosage suitable for your condition.
Note: If you take a blood-thinning medication, avoid taking cinnamon.
Fenugreek:
Fenugreek is an herb that diabetic people should include in their diets. Due to its hypoglycemic activity, it can improve glucose tolerance and lower blood sugar levels. In addition, its fiber content slows down the absorption of carbohydrates and sugars.
In a 2009 study published in the International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research, researchers concluded there is a positive effect of fenugreek seeds on blood glucose and lipid profiles in Type 2 diabetic patients.
• Soak 1 to 2 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds in water overnight. The next morning, drink the water and eat the seeds on an empty stomach. Follow this remedy daily.
• You can also eat baked goods made with fenugreek flour.
• Another option is to take a supplement after consulting a doctor.
Ginger:
Anti-diabetic, hypolipidemic and anti-oxidative properties in ginger are beneficial in controlling blood sugar levels. Ginger also can improve insulin sensitivity, reduce oxidation and improve cholesterol levels. It even helps with weight loss.
A 2014 study published in the Complementary Therapies in Medicine journal found that daily consumption of three 1-gram capsules of ginger powder for 8 weeks proved useful for patients with Type 2 diabetes.
• Drink 2 to 3 cups of ginger tea daily.
• Also, include fresh or dry ginger in your cooking.
• Another option is to take ginger supplements after consulting your doctor.
Turmeric:
Turmeric is a good spice to control high blood sugar. It has antiinflammatory, antioxidant, anti-atherosclerotic, heart-protecting and weight-reducing actions that help diabetic people manage blood sugar levels and reduce complications from the disease.
A 2013 study published in the Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Phytomedicine journal highlighted the important role of curcumin, a key component in turmeric, in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and associated disorders.
A 2014 study published in the Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders clearly indicates the beneficial role of turmeric in controlling kidney-related complications caused by diabetes.
• Include raw or powdered turmeric in your cooking.
• Take a supplement, but only after consulting a doctor.
Garlic:
Garlic also helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels in diabetic people, thanks to its anti-diabetic and hypolipidemic properties. It contains sulfur compounds that protect against oxidative damage and even high cholesterol.
According to a 2011 study published in the Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, garlic supplementation with standard anti-diabetic agent provides better blood sugar control in Type 2 diabetics.
A 2014 study published in the Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders suggests that garlic can help treat diabetes and related cardiovascular diseases.
• Eat 2 or 3 raw garlic cloves daily on an empty stomach.
• Also, include garlic in your cooking or take a supplement after consulting a doctor.
Curry Leaves:
Aromatic curry leaves may also be useful in managing high blood sugar. Several minerals in this herb help maintain normal glucose level in the blood. In addition, it influences carbohydrate metabolism. It also reduces the risk of oxidative stress.
A 2013 study published in the International Journal of Food and Nutritional Sciences highlights the hypoglycemic properties of curry leaf powder in controlling the fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels among diabetics.
A 2007 study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology indicates that curry leaf extract can help bring down the severity of diabetes.
• Chew a few tender curry leaves daily in the morning on an empty stomach.
• You can also add curry leaf powder to your soups or salads.
Fenugreek:
Fenugreek seeds (trigonella foenum graecum) are high in soluble fibre, which help lower blood sugar by slowing down digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. Several clinical trials showed that fenugreek seeds can improve most metabolic symptoms associated with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in humans by lowering blood glucose levels and improving glucose tolerance. It contains trigonelline, which is known to reduce blood sugar level. Take the seeds after soaking them in water overnight or powdered form with buttermilk.
Cabbage:
It is as effective as insulin.
Curry Patta13. Curry Patta:
Eating 10 fresh fully-grown curry leaves every morning for 3months is said to prevent diabetes.
Isabgole:
It helps in controlling blood sugar in diabetics by inhibiting the excessive absorption of sugars from the intestines.
Beans:
Beans are high in carbohydrate and fiber and stimulates the production of insulin. It should be eaten liberally to keep diabetes under control.
Cucumber and Radish leaves:
These low a carbohydrate vegetables are beneficial in the prevention and control of diabetes.
Onion:
It has active hypoglycemic substances, r allyl propyl disulphide & allicin.
The 15 Best Superfoods for Diabetics Include these nutrition superstars in your diabetes diet to lower blood sugar, burn fat, reduce inflammation, and gain more health benefits.
Dark Chocolate:
Chocolate is rich in flavonoids, and research shows that these nutrients reduce insulin resistance, improve insulin sensitivity, drop insulin levels and fasting blood glucose, and blunt cravings. But not all chocolate is created equal. In a 2008 study from the University of Copenhagen, people who ate dark chocolate reported that they felt less like eating sweet, salty, or fatty foods compared to volunteers given milk chocolate, with its lower levels of beneficial flavonoids (and, often, more sugar and fat, too). Dark chocolate also cut the amount of pizza that volunteers consumed later in the same day, by 15 percent. The flavonoids in chocolate have also been shown to lower stroke risk, calm blood pressure, and reduce your risk for a heart attack by 2 percent over five years.
Broccoli:
Broccoli is an anti-diabetes superhero. As with other cruciferous veggies, like kale and cauliflower, it contains a compound called sulforaphane, which triggers several anti-inflammatory processes that improve blood sugar control and protect blood vessels from the cardiovascular damage that’s often a consequence of diabetes. (Heart disease is the leading cause of death for people with diabetes, so this protection could be a lifesaver.) Sulforaphane also helps flip on the body’s natural detox mechanisms, coaxing enzymes to turn dangerous cancer-causing chemicals into more innocent forms that the body can easily release.
Blueberries:
Blueberries really stand out: They contain both insoluble fiber (which “flushes” fat out of your system) and soluble fiber (which slows down the emptying of your stomach, and improves blood sugar control). In a study by the USDA, people who consumed 2 1/2 cups of wild blueberry juice per day for 12 weeks lowered their blood glucose levels, lifted depression, and improved their memories. Researchers credit these results to anthocyanins in the berries, a natural chemical that shrinks fat cells and also stimulates the release of adiponectin, a hormone that regulates blood glucose levels, among other things. Increasing adiponectin levels can help keep blood sugar low and increase our sensitivity to insulin.
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