List of Foods for People with Diabetes
While the number of diabetics has been increased over the years, it can be prevented or even be reversed by adopting healthy life styles, including dietary habits. Diagnosed with diabetes does not mean you need to cut off sugar consumption totally, but rather be smart in your food selection. The following is the list of best foods for diabetics.
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Cinnamon
Cinnamon is definitely one of the top foods for people with diabetes. Adding cinnamon to your diets helps bring down the blood sugar levels. A study has suggested that consuming half-a-teaspoon of ground cinnamon a day reduces your blood sugar remarkably. The spice is capable of promoting enzymes that raise the response of cells to insulin and inhibiting enzymes that cause insulin resistance.
An overall review of eight studies has indicated that cinnamon helps lower blood sugar levels both during and after meals. It also found cinnamon supplements useful in decreasing the effects of diabetes. Besides, this wonderful spice also increases antioxidant activity in the body, reduces total body fat and raises the lean muscle mass.
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Maple Syrup
If you are worried about the negative impacts of sweet stuff on your diabetes, maple syrup may be a great alternative for you. A group of researchers at the University of Rhode Island, led by Navindra Seeram have studied on the health facts of maple syrup. They found that it contains a compound that helps protect against cancer and diabetes.
In addition, the organic sweetener contains good amount of antioxidants and a compound known as Quebecol, produced when the sap of maple trees is boiled. This has actually changed the lifestyle of diabetes patients, which is to stay away from sweet stuffs. In a report published by DailyMail.co.uk in April 2011, maple syrup has been ranked as the new 'one-stop shop' superfood, which is anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and helps control diabetes.
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Almonds and Walnuts
Scientific studies have suggested that almonds and walnuts protect against diabetes by regulating blood sugar and inhibiting factors that cause metabolic syndrome. Based on a report published in The Journal of Nutrition, consuming almonds before having your meal helps reduce blood glucose swings. Not only it reduces the risk of diabetes, but can also be used to treat the disease when included in the diets.
Almonds and walnuts are not just ordinary snacks; they are superfoods which effectively control blood sugar and lipids to protect you against diabetes and heart disease. Therefore, include them in your recipes for your own wellness.
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Turmeric
Turmeric contains a compound known as curcumin, which helps regulate and protect against diabetes. That’s why it is also classified as one of the best foods for diabetics. Curcumin can stimulate the pancreas to secrete insulin and according to researchers it can affect the glucose absorption in the body. In addition, the spice is also a good anti-inflammatory and able to inverse metabolic diseases.
Numerous studies have been done on turmeric and it was found to also protect against cancers of prostate and breast, slow the development of Alzheimer’s disease and cleanse the liver.
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Buckwheat
Buckwheat is a type of seeds good for people with diabetes. In a laboratory test, buckwheat extracts were seen to decrease blood sugar levels of diabetic rats by up to 19 percent. The researchers attributed this to a useful compound found in the seeds called chiro-inositol. This unique compound is particularly abundant in buckwheat and seldom found in other ingredients. Chiro-inositol carries the function of cell signaling and glucose metabolism. Although it was not clear how the compound worked, but initial evidence indicated that chiro-inositol increased the sensitivity of body cells to insulin.
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