Best Herbs And Spices To Kick-Back Diabetes:
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Ingredients like a pinch of paprika, a few strands of saffron, a dash of pepper powder and a teaspoon of lemon zest offer an opportunity to add flavor to your food without the need of unhealthy excess salt, sugar, and fat. Herbs and spices not only play a significant role in enhancing found in most kitchens can act as the pleasures we derive from food but are also invaluable in folk medicine as well as in Chinese, Ayurvedic, herbal and naturopathic treatments. Let’s get into the list of best foods for diabetes.
Although these medicines are often utilized together, they are not considered as one or the same thing. Herbs are aromatic leaves of plants like basil, bay leaf, chives, coriander, dill, fennel, mint, etc. Spices like cardamom, cinnamon, paprika, cloves, fenugreek seeds, ginger, pepper, and nutmeg have a stronger flavor than herbs.
Tip:
Rather than including the following best foods for diabetes in your regular diet, cooked and destroyed, juicing can give maximum benefits. Check out juicing benefits and side effects and how to effectively use juicing.
Best Foods For Diabetes:
Coupled with basic herbs, they can go a long way in aiding a diabetic in maintaining control over blood glucose levels. When blood glucose levels are high, protein glycation occurs. This produces advanced glycation end products or (AGES) compounds that promote inflammation.
Researchers have found a strong link between the polyphenol content in herbs and spices and their ability to block the formation of these AGE compounds.
Not only are blood sugar levels lower, but the onset of diabetes linked complications like coronary heart disease, nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy can be delayed. However, you should be aware that indiscriminate self supplementation can do more harm than good. Therefore, it’s best to consult your naturopath or healthcare practitioner before you start consuming the herbs and spices mentioned below:
1. Basil:
It is a powerful antioxidant. Chew on five leaves every morning, followed by a shot of lemon juice. Alternatively, have a mug of warm tulsi lemon tea immediately after a carbohydrate-rich meal.
2. Bitter melon (karela):
Karela has three substances that help reduce blood glucose levels, namely charantin, vicine, and an insulin-like compound called polypeptide-p. About 75 to 100ml of bitter melon juice should be consumed in the morning on an empty stomach.
3. Cassia bark (Chinese cinnamon):
Cassia bark is used to increase insulin sensitivity and control blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes patients. Since it has the anticoagulant coumarin, it should not be taken regularly by diabetics with heart disease who are on blood thinners. Infuse a two-inch piece of cassia bark, two strands of Kesar and one teaspoon grated ginger in 200ml hot water; drink this immediately after lunch and dinner.
4. Cinnamon:
It is a powerful antioxidant, antimicrobial agent and fat burner. It reduces blood glucose, triglyceride levels and also total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels. Simmer a two-inch stick of cinnamon with five green cardamoms, two cloves and a one-inch slice of ginger in 300ml water for 10 minutes. Steep it overnight. In the morning heat, strain and drink this decoction warm, on an empty stomach.
5. Cloves:
Cloves can relieve the discomfort of peptic ulcers, nausea, hiccups, motion sickness and stabilize blood sugar levels. Clove oil reduces toothache, sore gums, mental exhaustion, depression, anxiety, memory loss, insomnia, and fatigue too.
6. Fenugreek seeds:
These seeds contain galactomannan, which decreases the rate at which carbohydrate digestion takes place, stimulates insulin secretion in the pancreas and lowers glucose absorption. Soak a teaspoon of these seeds in 100ml water overnight and have it when you wake up. However, ensure you chew the seeds well.
7. Curry Leaves:
Curry leaves help in the production of alpha-amylase, which breaks down starch from the carbohydrates in a meal. Chew on ten curry leaves every morning or have a teaspoon of curry leaf paste/chutney during your meals.
8. Garlic:
Garlic contains sulfur-compound allicin, which is very beneficial for type 1 and type-2 diabetes. However, diabetics who are bleeders should avoid the use of garlic to lower their blood sugar levels. Chew two cloves daily on an empty stomach.
9. Ginger:
It helps in long-term blood glucose control. Add a few slices of raw ginger to a liter or two of water and drink it throughout the day.
10. Turmeric:
It has a powerful antioxidant named curcumin. However, turmeric should not be used by diabetics on anti-platelet and anti-coagulant medications. Mix half a teaspoon of turmeric powder with two teaspoons of lemon juice and five crushed basil leaves. Add two tablespoons of yogurt and eat this after lunch and dinner.
