Herbs and spices have long been used in cooking and are famous for their beneficial effects on people’s health. According to studies, herbs and spices have a high antioxidant phenol content, which helps when it comes to inflammation and damage to tissues caused by high levels of blood sugar.
It is crucial to be familiar with your body in order to successfully treat diabetes. If you add spices and herbs that can help lower blood sugar levels, you need to monitor your blood sugar levels more than usual.
Here are some herbs and spices that you can include in your diet:
Ginseng
Ginseng increases insulin output, and keeps insulin producing cells alive and thrives by limiting the tri-carboxylic acid cycle, and therefore lowers blood glucose. It also helps in prevention of heart attacks by causing a healing effect to the lining of the arteries in the body.
Garlic
Garlic might have a mild effect, but it does help to lower blood sugar glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol. It contains allicin, a sulfide compound that helps lower blood sugar glucose and helps insulin to be used effectively. Just add it in different types of meat and vegetable meals, in sauces and soups.
Turmeric
Turmeric is considered to be a key ingredient in curry powder, and is responsible for its golden tone. It contains several active compounds, including curcumin and is known to be a potent anti-inflammatory herb.
According to a bench research, turmeric reduces many of the inflammatory signals that are overactive in diabetes and it improves the action of disrupted insulin-response pathways in diabetes.
Cinnamon
According to studies, cinnamon can increase glucose metabolism by at least 20%. This is because cinnamon is rich in the powerful polyphenols that prevent strokes, cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek contains amino acid (4-hydroxyisoleucine), which helps the insulin producing cells of the pancreas, to produce more insulin to lower blood sugar. It also helps lower cholesterol levels, protects the liver from alcohol damage and detoxifies the liver.
Ginger
Ginger has demonstrated promising results in its capability to reduce oxidation, improve insulin sensitivity and improve cholesterol. It is a very common ingredient in Asian cuisine, and has been for years. It is also famous for its action as an anti-inflammatory, digestive and anti-nausea medicine.
Always talk to your doctor or healthcare provider before using any medicinal herbs and spices.
