About Us Contact Us Help


Archives

Contribute

 

Herbs And Spices That Help Manage Diabetes

Dr. Indrajeet Tyagi and Dr. Iranna Hirapur
12/20/2024

Herbs And Spices That Help Manage Diabetes
by Dr. Indrajeet Tyagi and Dr. Iranna Hirapur

In managing diabetes, recent researches have shown herbs can provide symptomatic relief, prevent secondary complications, and help regeneration of beta cells to overcome insulin resistance. Herbs and plant foods are not just rich sources of antioxidants, but they also keep cholesterol and blood sugar levels in control. In modern medicine, a drug can either lower blood sugar or manage liver glycogen level, but not do both. However, some studies have shown herbal extracts have successfully achieved these dual results. 

 

Herbs and spices are a category of foods that can have a beneficial impact on stabilizing daily blood glucose levels and overall health only when people use them in or along with their healthy diet after detoxing their entire system, and follow active life style. That means, such individuals respond well to the addition of herbs and spices. While some others have little no response or improvements in their blood sugar control and overall health by simply adding herbs and spices to an unhealthy diet and having sedentary lifestyle.

 

For Example, sprinkling cinnamon on a bowl of ice cream or adding herbs and spices to a meal composed of excess carbohydrates cooked in unhealthy vegetable oils will not significantly respond the damaging effects of already unhealthy foods. Just consider herbs and spices as natural performance enhancers for an athlete. Despite the fact that the core of optimal performance is still a healthy diet, optimal sleep and stress management, but adding superfoods like herbs and spices can take you to the next level by stabilizing blood glucose and lowering inflammation in the body.

 

Countless natural herbs and spices have medicinal effects. The following herbs and spices have studies to support their use and seen reasonable improvements in blood sugar to convince people that there is some potential for adding these to a healthy diet. Just remember to use the normal amount of the herbs and spices for better results.




Cinnamon
- is known to effectively reduce high levels of blood sugar since it is containing 18 percent polyphenols (micronutrients that support fighting disease), cinnamon intake causes a positive effect on the lipid profile of diabetes mellitus type 2, as well as glycemic control 

 

Fenugreek - Studies have confirmed the anti-diabetic effects of fenugreek that is rich in alkaloids like gonelline, nicotinic acid, and coumarin and showed improvements in fasting glucose, postprandial glucose (after meals), and A1C control.  Researched benefits of fenugreek include

  • Glucose and lipid lowering effects and improvements in insulin resistance and cholesterol levels.
  • Rich in fiber that has anti-diabetic benefits
  • 15g of fenugreek soaked in water overnight, drinking that water and eating seeds in the morning showed significant reduction in digestion and absorption of carbohydrates in the small intestine that improves blood sugar control, and postprandial glucose spikes in diabetics.

 

Fenugreek is often roasted, grounded, and used in spice blends for curries, pickles and sauces.  The soaked Fenugreek seeds can also be used in salads or is often incorporated into Indian breads, while the powder is often used in teas, soups and curries.

 

Cloves - are known to have medicinal properties that mainly help with lowering blood sugar. They contain 30% of the antioxidants phenol, anthocyanins, and quercetin in dry weight. Additionally, they have about 80 mg of vitamin C for every 100 grams, vitamin E, selenium, beta-carotene, phytosterols and essential minerals that fight increasing sugar in the blood. One study shows that if consumed for more than 30 days, cloves can help lower not only blood glucose, but also triglycerides, LDL and total cholesterol.

 

Turmeric - Researchers have found that curcumin, the active ingredient present in turmeric can decrease and stabilize plasma glucose level in the blood as well as HbA1C. With its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-bacterial properties, it can help boost your immune system and prevent infections, both of which are common issues with diabetic patients. Turmeric also promotes the improvement of lipids and prevents prediabetics from becoming diabetics

 

Turmeric beverages have become really popular, like turmeric tea, golden milk, or turmeric water.  You can add the spice to curries, stir-fries, and soups. To increase bioavailability, combine turmeric with black pepper, and a healthy fat like virgin coconut oil, avocado oil, extra virgin olive oil or ghee.

 

Holy basil (Tulsi) - Tulsi can be effective at lowering blood glucose and A1C in type 2 diabetics.  It contains antioxidant phytonutrients like orientin and vicenin that protect DNA against damage and appear to lower blood sugar through cellular mechanisms. A study has shown that 2.5 grams of dried basil powder significantly lowered fasting and after meal blood sugar when taken in the morning on an empty stomach.

 

Holy basil leaves can be added to salads, stir-fries, and sandwiches. Tulsi tea is a popular healing beverage, which you can make by adding fresh basil leaves, ginger, cardamom and a little honey to hot water.  Basil also comes in dried leaf, powder, and oil forms.

 

Triphala (three fruit combo) - The formulation consists of extracts of —Indian gooseberry (Amalaki), Beleric (Bibhitaki) and Black Myrobalan whole (Haritaki), all rich in antioxidants. Indian gooseberries are good coolants that reduce Pitta Dosha and work on the liver and immune system, while Beleric manages kapha and improves respiration. Haritaki is an effective detox agent and balances all the three Doshas.

 

Moringa - Moringa has a compound called isothiocyanates that may help lower blood sugar levels. One study shows, taking 1.5 teaspoons (7 grams) of Moringa leaf powder every day for three months reduced fasting blood sugar levels by 13.5%, on average. Another study found that adding 50 grams of Moringa leaves to a meal reduced the rise in blood sugar by 21%. Scientists believe these effects are caused due to the presence of plant compounds such as.

Jamun - This tropical fruit contains no sucrose and is known for its hypoglycemic effect. The seed of Jamun also helps control blood sugar levels. It contains jamboline, which stops conversion of starch into sugar subsequently controlling the blood sugar.

 

Amruth or Giloy - Amruth can be given to people with any or all of the Doshic imbalances. For some it works as a detox herb and for some it is a rejuvenating herb. Some of its benefits include: 1) Builds immunity, 2) Enhanced memory, 3) Keeps infections at bay, 4) Anti-pyretic, 5) Helpful in managing diabetic symptoms, 6) Removes worms.

 



Bookmark and Share |

You may also access this article through our web-site http://www.lokvani.com/




Home | About Us | Contact Us | Copyrights Help