Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high blood sugar levels. High blood sugar is caused by either a deficiency in insulin secretion or impaired biological function, or both. Diet plays an important role for individuals with diabetes, as there are strict requirements to manage the condition. Let's take a look at what foods can help lower blood sugar in diabetes.
What foods can diabetic people eat to lower blood sugar
1. Green Tea
The main component in tea that lowers blood sugar is tea polysaccharides. Tea polysaccharides are a type of complex polysaccharide found in tea leaves, composed of sugars, pectin, proteins, and other components. The polysaccharide portion includes arabinose, xylose, glucose, galactose, and galactomannan. The main effects of tea polysaccharides are lowering blood sugar and blood lipids, thereby helping to prevent and treat diabetes.
2. Black Fungus
Black fungus contains polysaccharides, vitamins, proteins, carotene, potassium, sodium, calcium, iron, and other minerals. The polysaccharides in black fungus have a blood sugar-lowering effect. Animal experiments have shown that black fungus polysaccharides can lower blood sugar levels in diabetic mice. Black fungus can be stir-fried or used in soups as an ingredient.
3. Bitter Melon
Ancient literature records that bitter melon can treat "excessive thirst" (equivalent to modern diabetes). Modern clinical reports have shown that bitter melon extract has a significant effect in reducing blood sugar levels, with an effective rate of 79.3% in treating diabetes. Bitter melon can be boiled or used in salads, or it can be juiced or dried and made into tea.
4. Watercress
Watercress contains proteins, sugars, lipids, phenols, terpenes, amino acids, and other substances. It has been reported that purple watercress contains insulin-like components that can be used for diabetes treatment. Watercress can be stir-fried or used in salads.
5. Seaweed
Seaweed is rich in protein, fat, carotene, vitamins, and other substances. Among them, polysaccharides are the most effective in lowering fasting blood sugar. Diabetic patients can consume seaweed before meals to lower blood sugar levels. Seaweed can also be consumed separately, such as in sushi, seaweed soup, or seaweed hot pot.
6. Onion
Onions have a pungent and warm taste, and are loved by many as a vegetable. Onions contain substances that stimulate insulin synthesis and secretion, which can assist in the treatment of diabetes. They also contain prostaglandin A and sulfur amino acids, which have the effects of dilating blood vessels, regulating blood lipids, and preventing arteriosclerosis. Therefore, they are most suitable for individuals with diabetes and abnormal blood lipids.
Dietary therapy for diabetes
Blood-activating Tea Eggs
Ingredients: 12g Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), 12g safflower, 10g peach kernel, 4g tea leaves, 4 eggs.
Method: Boil the first 3 ingredients in water for 30 minutes, then cool. Add the eggs and tea leaves to the mixture and boil until the eggs are cooked. Break the eggshells and soak the eggs in the liquid until the egg whites turn purplish-red. Eat one egg per day.
Effects: Danshen, safflower, and peach kernel have the function of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, while eggs can nourish Qi and blood. Tea leaves have a cooling and detoxifying effect, as well as a mild blood-activating effect.
Ginseng and Astragalus Pork Trotters
Ingredients: 2 pork trotters, 45g astragalus root, 20g Codonopsis pilosula, 15g Chinese angelica, 4g cinnamon, as well as salt, sugar, rice wine, star anise, soy sauce, and Sichuan pepper.
Method: Put the pork trotters, herbs, and seasonings into a pot, add enough water, and boil for one hour over high heat. Remove the pork trotters, skim off the floating oil in the pot, then put the pork trotters back in the pot and continue to simmer over low heat until the meat is tender. Remove, let it cool, remove the bones, slice, and serve.
Effects: Astragalus root strengthens defensive Qi, tonifies the middle Qi, and dispels toxins; Chinese angelica promotes blood circulation and nourishes blood; Codonopsis pilosula supplements Qi and invigorates the spleen; cinnamon warms and supplements kidney yang, warms the middle, dispels cold, and promotes blood circulation. After removing the oil from the pork trotters, they are rich in collagen, making them an ideal food therapy for diabetic foot.
