8 foods to manage high blood sugar levels
High levels of blood sugar can lead to health complications like cardiovascular diseases and kidney problems. Moreover, it can increase the risk of diabetes mellitus. While medications and other treatment options prescribed by the doctor can help manage blood sugar levels, making necessary changes to one’s food regimen can also help lower blood sugar levels. If you are wondering how to lower blood sugar levels naturally, consider including the following foods in your daily meals.
Oats
Foods with high glycemic value can increase the risk of diabetes, and oats are an excellent food option to help lower blood sugar levels and reduce this risk. The soluble fiber content in oats helps lower cholesterol levels, lowering the dependency on insulin shots.
Cinnamon
This spice is often added to breakfast cereals or rolls. Cinnamon is not only rich in minerals and antioxidants that boost immunity, but it can also help lower blood sugar levels by increasing the body’s insulin sensitivity. This makes it efficient in moving glucose into cells. Research says that consuming cinnamon can improve insulin sensitivity immediately, with the effects lasting for up to 12 hours.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek contains fiber and chemicals that can slow the digestion process and absorption of carbohydrates and sugar, helping improve the body’s ability to produce insulin. You can consume fenugreek seeds soaked in hot water.
Yogurt
Boosting metabolism and digestion is the way to go if you’re wondering how to lower blood sugar levels naturally. Probiotic foods like yogurt improve digestion by increasing the number of healthy gut bacteria, which help improve digestion.
Chia seeds and flaxseeds
These are considered superfoods as both chia seeds and flaxseeds contain healthy fats, fiber, and proteins. Incorporating these in your daily meals helps control cholesterol levels and also aids in improving blood sugar levels.
Fatty fish
Fatty fish like salmon, trout, mackerel, and herring have zero Glycemic Index (GI) scores, which means they do not elevate blood sugar levels. Instead, oily fish are rich in various vitamins and minerals, and most importantly, omega-3 fatty acids that promote heart and overall health.
Eggs
Apart from fatty fish, eggs are a great source of healthy fats that can help manage high blood sugar and diabetes. Apart from increasing insulin sensitivity, eggs are a rich source of antioxidants that can help reduce free radical damage, which otherwise leads to inflammation.
Apple cider vinegar
If you’re wondering how to lower blood sugar levels and maintain overall health, apple cider vinegar is a great addition to salads and meals. It is popular among many as the acetic acid content increases insulin sensitivity, which helps improve glucose processing. Apple cider vinegar can reduce blood sugar response by about 20%.
While the above foods help manage blood sugar levels, doctors prescribe treatments in severe cases. INVOKANA® is one option, which helps control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor that helps flush out excess sugar from the body through urine. INVOKANA® is available in the form of tablets to be used once daily.