Home Blog

According to the American Diabetes Association, around 8% of Americans suffer from diabetes. Diabetics suffer from high levels of blood sugar, which can be either because the body does not produce sufficient insulin, or if the cells stop responding to the insulin produced by the body.

It is extremely important for diabetics to be cautious of their diet. Eating garlic and lemon have been proved beneficial for diabetes patients according to various researches.  It was found, as per a study conducted, that when patients ate 100 to 125 mg of garlic daily, their blood sugar levels decreased and insulin levels in the body increased. Lemon contains an acid that slows down the rate at which carbohydrates are processed, which in turn has a direct effect on the level of sugar in the blood.

Lemon and diabetes

Lemons are included in the list of super foods that should be a part of your diet according to the American Diabetes Association.

• Lemons are rich in the antioxidant vitamin C. The vitamin is essential for making collagen, which helps keep the arteries smooth and pliable. They also contain the compound limonene that lowers cholesterol levels.
• Potassium present in lemons also helps regulate high blood pressure levels.
• The soluble fiber present in lemons could help reduce cholesterol and stabilize blood pressure levels.
• Lemons also have a low glycemic index level and that means fewer carbohydrates, so your blood glucose levels will not be affected.

Consult your doctor before adding lemons to your diet in case you have unpredictable blood sugar levels, stomach acid, or heartburn. It is very easy to incorporate lemon into your diet. Drinking a warm glass of water with half a squeezed lemon early in the morning is very good for your system. You can also use lemons to season your salads or simply increase the amount you use in your food. You can also use lemons while marinating foods like fish, meat, seafood, and while cooking foods like rice, pastas and soups.

Garlic and diabetes

Known for its medicinal properties, garlic is also known to help with diabetes. Interest in the benefits of garlic has grown after research showed that it helps in keeping cardiovascular diseases at bay, a risk associated with diabetic patients.

• An acid, allacin, present in garlic helps lower the levels of cholesterol.
• Garlic is also beneficial for people who have hypertension or high blood pressure. Garlic contains antioxidant properties that help strengthen your immune system.
• Garlic also helps decrease plaque from forming on arteries. Plaque formation again leads to blockage that could lead to a heart condition.

The best way to eat garlic is to peel the garlic clove, chop it into tiny pieces, use a mortar to crush them, open the cover, and leave it in the mortar for 10 to 15 minutes, and then add it to your food. The reason for following this method is that the compound allacin that contains medicinal benefits is released.

Eating lemons and garlic may help with your diabetes, but do not ignore going to your doctor and getting a proper diet plan and necessary medication. If ignored, diabetes can have dire complications. 

References:

• http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/overview/
• http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001214.htm
• http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/300.html
• http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/consumer/prevent.htm
• http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/garlic-000245.htm
• http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/diabetes-superfoods.html