Spices and Herbs That Fight Diabetes
Diabetes is a metabolic disease
characterized by a high concentration of glucose in the blood and urine,
so it is very important to keep an eye on food intake in order not to
worsen the situation and even to improve it.
Fortunately, there are many herbs and
spices known for their medicinal properties that help, among other
things, fight against diabetes, with which tasty and healthy meals can
be prepared. So, as you cook your next meal, try to incorporate some of
the 15 herbs and spices on the list below, thus protecting yourself and
the people you care about from this difficult illness.
1. Basil
Basil, has a very important medicinal quality; it can help control blood
sugar levels in diabetics, so it is recommended to use it frequently to
season different foods. Basil combines beautifully with salads, soups
and pesto, and other wonderful dishes. It has an aroma that reminds us
of the summer of Italy.
2. Blueberries
Blueberries contain an anthocyanin pigment that contains antioxidants
that fight diabetes, strengthen the heart and reduce the risk of
inflammation and accumulation of lipids. Studies show that daily
consumption of fresh blueberries in large amounts reduces signs of
inflammation and improves glucose tolerance in people with metabolic
syndrome (which may cause type 2 diabetes).
The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked, and it can also be dried. Due to
its sweet-sour taste, it is used to make jams, liqueurs, and syrups.
3. Chamomile
Chamomile is often used as a medicinal herb as well as to make
infusions. Chamomile reduces blood sugar and prevents complications in
diabetics by helping the digestion process and cleaning blood from
excess sugar. Moreover, after a long day of work, there is nothing like a
cup of warm chamomile tea that inspires both physical and mental calm.
4. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is used in preparing pastries and dishes with its inner shell
used as a spice, both in its natural form as a stick and as a powder.
Studies have shown that cinnamon is effective in lowering blood sugar
levels in healthy people and in people with type 2 diabetes, but other
studies have found that cinnamon does not affect A1C levels so the
findings are inconclusive.
What's more, cinnamon has a beneficial effect on weight loss because it
helps lower cholesterol and speeds up metabolism. It is recommended to
combine the cinnamon with beans, brown rice, lentils or meat dishes, and
of course, there is no need to add sugar.
5. Cumin / jeera
Cumin has a unique and very strong taste and it blends well with red
stews or simple brown rice. When you add cumin to your food, use it
generously as it lowers blood sugar and cholesterol, which can be very
beneficial for diabetics. In addition, cumin has a positive effect on
the end products of glycation of amino acids. Such formation of sugar is
considered dangerous because it can alter the structure of the tissue
in which it was created and damage the body, but cumin can balance these
processes and prevent the glycation of amino acids.
6. Medicinal dandelion
Medicinal dandelion is considered a pest plant because its growth
interferes with the growth of other plants in the field or garden, but
it is an important medicinal herb. Its leaves are rich in vitamin A, C,
calcium, and iron. In addition, it helps in reducing weight, which is
very important for diabetics and can have a great impact on their
health.
It also increases the flow of urine and helps in the body cleansing
process. The young leaves are suitable for a salad, without the need for
cooking, although the larger leaves require cooking because their taste
is bitter.
7. Dill
Dill, originally comes from Southwest and Central Asia. Dill is known
for its ability to increase milk production in lactating women, but its
medicinal properties can also be used to treat diabetes. Researchers
have found about 70 different components that exist in dill that help
fight this disease, so it is important to consume it frequently. Dill
blends perfectly with fish, cheese, eggs, and mushrooms.
8. Fennel / saunf
Fennel has a delicate anise flavor, and it is recommended to use its
leaves as a green for vegetable salads, with its leaves and seeds
containing antioxidants and fiber that help reduce cholesterol. In
addition, fennel lowers blood pressure because of the high potassium
content in it, which helps to remove sodium from the body through urine.
In India, it is customary to chew fennel seeds after a meal to clean the
teeth and freshen the breath and it’s considered an excellent cough
suppressant, making it a natural treatment for a common problem in
diabetics.
9. Garlic
Garlic is used for medical purposes all over the world because it is
very effective against infections and inflammations, and contains
allicin, sulfur, vitamin B1, vitamin B3, and fluorine.
Also, garlic has very strong anti-inflammatory properties, which
suppress the cytokines (small proteins) in diabetes, and is also known
to lower sugar and fat levels in the blood, strengthen the heart, and
prevent the development of cancer cells.
10. Ginger
Ginger has a sharp and refreshing taste and is mainly used for seasoning
in a variety of dishes containing meat, chicken and vegetarian dishes.
Ginger is a perfect herb supplement for fighting diabetes and high
cholesterol because it attacks diabetes from several directions and even
helps in weight loss.
Moreover, in a study in 2014, it was shown that people who consumed 3
grams of dry ginger powder for 30 days experienced significant
improvements in blood glucose levels, cholesterol, and other important
measures. Those who do not like the taste of ginger in food can try to
cut a piece of fresh ginger and put it in the cup of tea.
11. Rosemary
Rosemary branches are suitable for use in many dishes, such as meat
dishes and vegetarian dishes. Try to add it to a cup of tea and enjoy a
relaxing and delicious drink. Rosemary plant contains antioxidants that
are useful in the fight against diabetes and it helps to treat metabolic
syndromes and is also effective in fighting against various types of
cancer.
12. Sage
Sage is one of the most common and ancient herbs. It contains
antioxidants proven to be beneficial in the fight against diabetes and
is a source of essential fatty acids. The strong taste of the sage goes
beautifully with dishes and also fits as a relaxing addition to a cup of
tea. Beyond that, sage tea with honey helps against colds and other
winter illnesses.
13. Stevia
The Stevia plant is among the few sweeteners that do not harm diabetics,
even though it is sweeter than regular sugar. Although using Stevia
will not help eliminate the craving for something sweet, this plant has a
positive effect on blood sugar and insulin levels after a meal. In
addition, the stevia plant can be grown easily in a flowerpot on the
windowsill where you can pick some leaves off of it whenever you want to
enjoy its benefits.
14. Thyme
Thyme is a spice plant with an aromatic smell and its amazing taste
making it a good addition to any dish. Thyme contains about 75
phytochemicals (a generic name for compounds found naturally in plant
foods) that are active in fighting diabetes and have proven to be very
effective in their activity. Thyme is rich in iron and is used quite a
bit in cooking meat dishes, soups, eggs and more. Although it has a
dominant flavor is doesn’t hide the taste of other herbs. Thyme can be
purchased either dried or fresh.
15. Turmeric
The turmeric root is produced with a delicate flavor that gives the food
a golden color and is used mostly in powder form, in its fresh form it
contains potassium, vitamin C, and antioxidants. It is probably the best
spice to prevent cancer and it also contributes greatly to diabetics
because it helps against aging, protects the heart and helps in weight
loss.
In order to test the effect of this wonderful root, a study of 240
people diagnosed with pre-diabetes was divided into two groups: an
experimental group and a control group. The researchers administered
turmeric-based capsules to the experimental group each day, while the
control group consumed a placebo. It was found that many members of the
group who took the placebo developed stage 2 diabetes while those in the
study group who consumed turmeric did not develop diabetes at all, so
it is important to start adding turmeric to your diet regularly.