London: 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.
The most serious effects of blood sugar swings are a higher risk for diabetes-related health complications such as stroke, heart disease, and nerve damage (neuropathy). Here are seven items that will give you an edge against diabetes, as suggested by food specialist Saumya Shree.
Best Foods that Help Control Sugar Levels
1. 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 prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
2. Cinnamon:
It is effective in dropping blood sugar levels and reducing the risk of 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.
3. 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 fiber, and deliver lots of other healthy nutrients, they should be the first choice.
4. 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.
5. Fenugreek:
Fenugreek is yet another spice that helps in lowering blood sugar levels in people with both type one-two diabetes as well as those with prediabetes. The fiber 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.
6. Nuts:
Nuts are enriched with tocotrienols, so eating them regularly can lower the rates of heart disease caused by diabetes.
7. 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.
