Useful AntiDiabetic Plants (Herbs) to Control Diabetes

Though diabetes is an incurable disease, but it can be controlled to large extent by taking care of your food diet. Eating herbs can be really beneficial. Most preferable list of antidiabetic plants has been mentioned below. These top natural antidiabetic herbs have shown some promise in lowering blood sugar, boosting insulin sensitivity and reducing high blood pressure, cholesterol, and all.

Gymnema Sylvestre (Gurmar or Miracle Fruit)

Gymnema sylvestre known as Gurmar is one of the most powerful herbs for controlling blood sugar. Sugar crusher/destroyer, translating it in Hindi, is well known for reducing the ability to detect sweetness. It boosts the activity of enzymes helping the cells use glucose. Thus the sugar level decreases or it stimulates the production of insulin. Though, all its effects or possible side effects still hasn’t been studied extensively, but no report of serious side effects has been found.

Azadirachta Indica (Neem or Indian Lilac)

Azadirachta indica, popularly known as Neem is widely popular as one of the best medicinal plant used for treatment of diabetes. Since immemorial time, this has been used as an antidiabetic plant, even mentioned in the early Vedic text. It is used alone or combined with other antidiabetic herbs for decreasing the sugar levels. But in some cases it is found that the blood sugar level went too low due to the use of neem. So it is advised to monitor your blood sugar level regularly while using neem as an antidiabetic herb and change the dose of it according to the need.

Morus Indica (Mulberry)

Morus indica or mulberry leaves are recommended by ayurvedic medics to decrease the sugar level and fight against diabetes. According to the research, it is found that using mulberry for at least 15 days on a regular basis with recommended dose will reduce the sugar level almost 38 to 40 %. Correcting lipid abnormality using mulberry leaves is also popular. Diabetic patients can use this plant for the protection from oxidative stress as it improves the antioxidant defence system of the body. No report of side effects has been found.

Momordica Charantia (Karela or Bitter Gourd)

Also known as Bitter Gourd, Momordica charantia has set a good example as a natural remedy for diabetes and also used extensively in ayurvedic medicines. It helps fighting diabetes by increasing the insulin secretion hence improving the function of beta cells of the pancreas. Bitter gourd fruit pulp helps in increasing the number of beta cells in the pancreas.  No serious side effect has been reported.

Eugenia Jambolana (Jamun or Java Plum)

It is known to us that diabetes makes it harder for the body to heal a wound. Eugenia Jambolana seed extract makes wound healing process faster for a diabetes patient. This is the reason of it being a preferable herb in the list of antidiabetic plants. Its fruit and seeds reduce the sugar level effectively by stimulating the secretion of insulin. It also helps in reducing the risk of kidney dysfunction in diabetes. It has no side effects.

Curcuma Longa (Haldi or Turmeric)

Studies have found that Curcuma longa lowers plasma glucose level. It is a promising ingredient in functional food aiming at preventing different kinds of diabetes. It raises the secretion of insulin and thus glucose level stays in control. It has no side effects. It even helps in fighting different other diseases as well.

Tinospora Cordifolia (Guduchi or Heart-Leaved Moonseed)

Tinospora cordifolia is an herbal bush found usually in India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar. Its leaves, stems and root have different uses in Ayurveda. This plant not only reduces high cholesterol and allergic rhinitis, but also very useful in controlling diabetes. It has antioxidant effects. Tinospora cordifolia also helps in improving the immunity system and fight against diabetes. No noticeable side effect has been recorded. It is not only a medicinal plant used for treatment of diabetes but also cures diseases like Cancer, RA, and PUD too.

Best Fruits for a Diabetic Patient

For those who were wondering what fruits are best for diabetics, this list will help to solve their problem. So without a doubt include these delicious Diabetes fruits in your diet.

Peaches

Peaches are one of the best fruits for diabetics to eat. This fragrant and juicy fruit is rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin C, Potassium, and fibre, all of which are very essential for your body. One can easily make a delicious smoothie using peach slices with buttermilk or crushed ice. You can even add a pinch of ginger or cinnamon to the peach salad to enhance the taste.

Apricots

Highly available during summers, Apricot is a sweet mouthwatering fruit that has found its spot pretty high in the Diabetes diet chart. The nutritional value of one Apricot is 17g of calories and 4g of carbohydrates. Including 4 of them in your diet will provide you with 50% of your daily Vitamin A requirement. Being a good source of fibre, you can add it to your salad or cold cereal as well.

Apple

As the famous saying goes, “An Apple a day keeps the doctor away”, Apple truly is a nutrient-packed fruit that will keep your health in check and also increases your fitness quotient. It is rich in Vitamin C and fibre. Apple is considered as one of the best fruits for diabetics as its outer skin too is high in nutritional values and is loaded with antioxidants, which are useful to prohibit the oxidation of molecules in our body.

Tart Cherries

Tart Cherries are undoubtedly a popular choice among Diabetes patients due to its taste. It is for a reason known as the best fruit for diabetic patients as it has low GI level and is quite rich in antioxidants. Having a bowl of Tart Cherries regularly will help a person to tackle heart diseases, cancer, and other diseases as well. You will be surprised to know that Tart Cherries are also good at fighting inflammation. Tart Cherries are the best dried fruit for diabetics and must be consumed daily by them.

Berries

Whether it’s Strawberry, Blueberry or any other type of berries that you love to have, these tiny fruits are loaded with vitamins, antioxidants, and are high in fibre as well. They are also low in GI levels. The nutritional value for a three-quarter of a cup of Blueberries is approximately around 67 calories and 16g of carbohydrates, which is just perfect for evening snacks. The berries are a proud member of the Diabetes diet family.

Kiwi

One simply cannot avoid eating the delicious Kiwi fruit. If someone ever asks you, “What fruits are best for diabetics?” then without a second thought, prompt them Kiwi followed by other Diabetes friendly fruits. Kiwi is not only rich in Potassium but also fibre and Vitamin C that helps in maintaining your blood sugar levels.

Oranges

Without a doubt, Oranges are among the best Indian fruits for Diabetes. Packed with Vitamin C, including one or two Oranges in your daily routine will fulfill your Vitamin C requirement. Potassium and Folate present in Orange also helps to maintain blood sugar levels.

5 Foods That Cause Diabetes – Worst Food for Diabetic Patient

Here is a list of food items that are known to be among the worst foods for diabetics and rank high on the diabetic food list that causes the disease. Make sure that you stay away from these food items if you want to avoid diabetes or even if you are already diagnosed with it.

Sugar Candies

Sugar is highly dangerous for people suffering from diabetes. Even for healthy and fit people, it is advised to avoid too much of sugar. There is nothing good that sugar does. You must try and find substitutes that can play its part in your diet such as honey. In all kinds of diabetic food, sugar-free tablets are used to sweeten the food item. Diabetics or even non-diabetic people must not consume sugar candies too often for maintaining a good health.

White Bread

White bread must be avoided at all costs in your daily diet in case you consume it for your breakfast. It is not directly linked to diabetes but it leads to some factors which in the long term can become the cause diabetes or aggravate it. It has some direct impacts on obesity which is one of the causes of diabetes. Although this food item is often skipped when talked about what food causes diabetes but food authorities have advised using alternatives like brown bread or whole grain bread which are healthier than white bread.

White Rice

White rice is a highly processed grain and thus must be taken with precaution if you are a diabetic. The best advice would be to avoid it altogether but if you are habituated to it, you can moderate the amount of white rice you are consuming. You will find it in every diabetic food list among the worst food items for the diabetics.

Pickles

Although pickles do not cause much harm in provocating diabetes but if you want to keep your sodium levels in check, it is advisable that pickles must be avoided. If you include a small amount in your diet occasionally, it is fine as well but if you overdo it, your sodium levels can rise and thus the chances of getting diabetes increase.

Fruit Juices

There is a huge doubt over whether a diabetic must even consume fruits or not. But fresh fruits do no harm to regular people as well as the diabetics. But when you think upon what food causes diabetes, fruits are definitely not among them. However, avoid fruit juices as they contain high amounts of sugar for sweetening the juice which is harmful. Some people might also give you a list of diabetes fruits to avoid but it is a myth that eating fruits cause diabetes.