Diabetes is the fastest growing long-term disease that affects millions of people globally. The numbers of diabetic patients are dramatically increasing and the fact is, it can strike anyone. An estimated 23.6 million of people in the United States suffers from diabetes.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition where the body fails to utilize the ingested glucose properly. This happens because the pancreas doesn’t produce any insulin or enough insulin, to help glucose enter your body’s cells or it does not work properly.
Types of diabetes
There are three main types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2, and gestational.
In Type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system destroys the cell that releases insulin, eventually eliminating insulin production from the body. The absence of insulin restricts the cells to absorb sugar or glucose, which they need to produce energy.
Type 2 Diabetes is common during adulthood. In fact, it accounts to 90 to 95 out of 100 people who suffer from diabetes. This type is also known as the type 2 Diabetes where the body cannot use the insulin right away. As it gets worst, the pancreas makes less and less insulin. This is what you call as insulin deficiency.
Gestational diabetes happens during pregnancy. Pregnant women who have never had diabetes before but who have high blood glucose (sugar) levels during pregnancy are said to have gestational diabetes. It is estimated that gestational diabetes affects 18 percent of pregnancies.
Superfoods to Lower Blood Sugar
Beans
Many studies show that beans and lentils help people with type 2 Diabetes control their blood sugar. “Legumes are good protein sources, and proteins tend to dampen the blood glucose response and they lower blood pressure”, according to Dr. David Jenkins of St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables are filling and helps temper blood sugars by slowing the absorption of carbohydrates into your bloodstream after meals. Furthermore, the beta-carotene in cabbage helps repair of the body’s tissue.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are known to stabilize by lowering insulin resistance. Mainly, sweet potatoes contain high amount of fiber, which reduces the level of bad cholesterol in the body. Also, sweet potatoes are low in glycemic index which is better for diabetes control.
Goji Berries
Aside from enhancing your mood, goji berries are superfoods that help prevent and treat diabetes. In one study, diabetic rabbits were given a fruit-water mixture of goji berries and their serum lipid profile and blood glucose levels were monitored, along with the ORAC levels. After 10-day treatment period, it has seen to have a decrease in total cholesterol, blood glucose, and triglyceride levels and an increase in HDL cholesterol levels.
Tart Cherries
Tart Cherries are packed with antioxidants and contains more anti-inflammatory properties. A recent study found that tart cherries contain more anti-inflammatory agents than any other fruit.
Conclusion
There are many claims about the possibilities of food to fight diabetes but the question is how much is enough to lower the risk of diabetes? Trying natural ways to control diabetes is the way forward.
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