Suffering from diabetes means no sweet treats, literally! But, don’t let that prevent you from enjoying the greatest mercies in the form of natural foods that have been proffered to us as miracle ingredients.
Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases where the person suffers from above-normal levels of blood glucose, either due to insufficient production of insulin, total insensitivity of the cells in the body to respond to it, or complete inability to produce it. Insulin being the prime hormone regulating blood glucose levels, the solution to treat the disease translates into creating a bodily system more receptive to the hormone or activating it to produce insulin depending on the type of diabetes.
Most diabetics struggle with diet plans in a bid to keep tabs on their blood glucose levels that often fluctuate. Consider making these simple foods a part of your daily diet plan that has yielded remarkable results in the medical research field.
Onions: no more tears
Onions have been recognized for centuries for their wide range of medicinal properties. The ancient pharaohs fed it to their workers entrusted with building the pyramids to give them strength. For the control of blood-sugar levels, research reveals that onions should be ingested in the natural raw form for maximum benefit. Onions contain a high concentration of the flavonoid Quercetin — known to decrease the glucose levels. Whether used as an additive during cooking, in concentrated forms, or eaten raw, it offers all of its healthy properties. Just be careful not to spew the pungent odors upon your peers!
Chase the gingerbread man
Some doctors have recommended drinking ginger in water first thing in the morning to help regulate blood glucose levels. Ginger is also mentioned in the Qur’an as a drink for the pious ones in paradise (Qur’an 76:17). Gingerol, a powerful antioxidant is found to interrupt a pathway responsible for the activation of a factor involved in diabetes. Studies have also revealed that health complications like diabetic retinopathy have been greatly reduced with the concoction.
Holy basil
Widely used in Italian dishes — pastas, sauces and salad dressings — basil is mentioned in the Qur’an as a gift to mankind. Some studies have shown basil to reduce fasting and post-meal blood glucose levels. An excellent recommendation would be to drink basil tea regularly after each meal. To prepare an infusion, add 1-2 teaspoons of shredded basil leaves to 250 ml of water, boil, allow the tea to infuse in the leaves for 2 minutes and consume the tea unsweetened.
Fen-u-Greek
For over a millennia, fenugreek has been used in India and the Middle East as a medicine and spice. Current research on fenugreek has now led to the discovery that it has a blood-glucose lowering effect, making it an extremely useful herb for diabetics.
In addition, fenugreek seeds increased blood sugar control and reduced insulin resistance in those suffering from Type-2 diabetes. Fenugreek is abundant in amino acid, 4-hydroxyisoleucine shown to stimulate the pancreas to release insulin. It also regulates blood sugar by inhibiting enzymes sucrase and alpha-amylase thus slowing the break-down of carbohydrates into sugar thereby reducing blood sugar levels in the body.
Purchase some purslane
Purslane is a wonderful edible herb native to the Middle East and India. The vitamin C and A rich herb when eaten raw is known to ward off problems related to diabetes. Also its manganese-rich content aids immensely in healing wounds and lacerations that maybe incurred normally — an issue of paramount health importance to diabetics.
Include purslane in salads, stews, sandwiches, soups, casseroles or top it on ricotta cheese for some great taste.
Aloe vera: plant of immortality
In the last few decades, studies have shown various aloe vera plants exhibiting remarkable anti-diabetic properties. Include aloe vera juice everyday as your wake-up tonic and enjoy the miraculous benefits of aloe vera. Grow a plant at home under your sunny balcony and directly squeeze out the leaves for the juices.
Blask seeds or nigella feasts
Black seeds/nigella/black cumin/Indian cumin — is a common folk medicine used all over the world for the treatment and prevention of a number of diseases. Prophet Mohamad (peace be upon him) said: “It cures every disease except death”.
Studies have revealed that these cumin seeds possess an anti-diabetic activity brought about by the stimulated insulin release.
A good amount of academic material suggests the potential of these natural everyday foods and ingredients in conferring extraordinary therapeutic effects in the treatment of diabetes. A conscious effort in adding these wonderful super-foods consistently to the everyday diet should reveal marvelous results.
So stay fit, stay healthy and smile!
—-Agencies