Best Herbs and Supplements to Lower Your Blood Sugar Levels!

Maintaining normal blood sugar levels is key to maintaining the body’s overall health. Unstable blood sugar levels can have far-reaching repercussions and can even stop your body from functioning normally. Whereas you do all the regular things, eat right, exercise, sleep on time, and your doctor recommends taking medications to control your blood sugar levels. However, less popular medications have the power to bring your blood sugar levels into remission. Of course, you can achieve that all under the guidance of your health care practitioner.

Herbs are an extremely beneficial addition to your diet. They can combat not only diabetes but also several other diseases. Some herbs can balance the blood sugar levels and help people who have been recently diagnosed with diabetes or fall under the category of a pre-diabetic. Another great benefit of herbs is that they enhance the flavor of your food. Here are some key spices and herbs that can help control your blood sugar levels.

Fenugreek

Fenugreek seeds are high in soluble fiber and hence can lower blood sugar levels. Besides that, it also slows down digestion and the absorption of carbohydrates. For this reason, these seeds are a must add to your regular diet to take control of your blood sugar levels. Fenugreek seeds can also improve your metabolic health as they lower blood sugar levels.

Research conducted in India found out that consuming fenugreek seeds (10 grams in hot water) has shown miraculous results in lowering the fasting and HbA1C blood sugar levels. The treatment should take place for at least six months. Apart from lowering blood sugar levels, it also reduces total cholesterol. LDL (the bad cholesterol) and triglyceride levels too.

Gymnema

Gymnema contains certain substances that can decrease the absorption of sugar from the intestine. While the exact action of the same is not known, the benefits of the herb are not something you can ignore. Gymnema also increases the amount of insulin in the body. Besides that, it also increases the growth of cells in the pancreas, where insulin is made. Insulin also helps control blood sugar levels and signals the liver, muscle, and fat cells to take the sugar from the blood. Gymnema inhibits the sweet taste sensation and limits the intake of sweet foods by people, and it has the potential to lower blood sugar levels.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon plays a big part in cooking and baking. Apart from lending a slightly sweet taste to your foods, it has the potency to improve your blood sugar markers. It is particularly helpful in improving insulin sensitivity and improving blood sugar levels. A study showed that just supplementing 500 mg of cinnamon for two months significantly reduced blood sugar levels.

It also reduced LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol levels. Besides that, it helped improve insulin sensitivity in people suffering from high levels of blood sugar. The inclusion of cinnamon can have a favorable outcome on type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Green tea

Antioxidant-rich green tea leaves come from the Camellia sinensis plant. Although they look like tea leaves, they are a kind of herb. As per a meta-analysis, consuming green tea can decrease fasting blood sugar levels and reduce HbA1c levels.

An American study from 2002 said that you need to consume green tea without milk to improve the insulin-sensitizing effects of tea. Green tea is a powerful receptacle of the antioxidant catechin, which stops the steep rise in blood sugar levels, especially the postprandial levels. It helps when you eat white rice and other refined stuff.

Conclusion

Suppose you want to control your blood sugar levels. In that case, you must follow a healthy lifestyle, including eating a fiber-rich diet, regular exercise, and keeping the stress levels in check.

Although these natural and herbs are effective in lowering blood sugar levels, they cannot substitute medicines. However, they are all natural and have little to no side effects. Before taking any herbs or spices, consult your health care practitioner to know how much should you be consuming. Besides that, they should also know what protocols to follow if your blood sugar levels dip too low since you club it with other diabetic drugs. Keep your doctor in the loop and follow a healthy lifestyle to nip diabetes off the bud.