If you suffer from diabetes, you know the struggle of controlling your blood sugar levels. Experts say having certain foods and drinks can help increase sensitivity to insulin, reduce the spike in blood sugar, and calm chronic inflammation that increases the risk of heart attacks.
Here are seven items that will give you an edge against diabetes, as suggested by food specialist Saumya Shree.
- Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has been creating positive ripples in health food circles for a long time. The acetic acid in vinegar trims down certain enzymes in the stomach, and drinking a mix of apple cider vinegar and water before eating helps increase sensitivity to insulin and reduce the spike in blood sugar in those with pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes.
- Cinnamon
It is effective in dropping blood sugar levels and reducing the risk for developing type 2 diabetes. It has also been discovered that this spice can reduce increasing blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides and bad LDL cholesterol while raising good HDL cholesterol.
- Citrus fruits
People with diabetes tend to have low Vitamin C levels in their bodies, so antioxidant-packed citrus fruits are good for snacking. Vitamin C pills might seem to be a quick supplement, but as fruits are naturally low in fat, high in fibre, and deliver lots of other healthy nutrients, they should be the first choice.
- Green tea
Drinking green tea can calm chronic inflammation that increases the risk of heart attacks and ruins the body’s ability to absorb blood sugar. The tea is packed with flavonoids that have powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
- Fenugreek
Fenugreek is yet another spice which helps in lowering blood sugar levels in people with both type one two diabetes as well as those with pre-diabetes. The fibre in fenugreek seeds is effective in slowing down the digestion of carbohydrates and one can either take it as a pill, as tea, or in a variety of dishes.
- Nuts
Nuts are enriched with tocotrienols, so eating them regularly can lower the rates of heart disease caused by diabetes.
- Garlic
Garlic has the properties of lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and its extracts can increase the amount of insulin present in people with diabetes.
