Type 2 diabetes is a product of poor insulin production. Insulin is a hormone that’s responsible for regulating blood sugar – the main type of sugar in blood. If you have type 2 diabetes, insulin secretion is hampered, and the result is uncontrolled blood sugar levels. This is where diet steps in. You can mimic the effect of insulin by overhauling your diet.
Certain items have been touted for their ability to regulate blood sugar spikes.
Blood sugar levels spike in response to eating specific foods so the key is to consume items that counter this rise and moderate the impact of blood sugar.
Ginger tea has proven to be particularly adept at this process, both in the short and long-term.
Ginger is most often used as an ingredient in South East Asian and Indian cooking, but the spicy root has traditionally been used for centuries. You can take ginger fresh, dried or powdered as a tea, in food, or as a supplement.
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It’s worth noting that other studies did not not turn up this association so further research is required before conclusions can be drawn.
For example, researchers in an analysis of eight randomised trials published in the journal Medicine found “no significant” difference in fasting blood glucose following ginger consumption.
However, they did find dietary ginger “significantly improved” HbA1c, suggesting that this “natural medicine might have an impact on glucose control over a longer period of time” in patients with type 2 diabetes.
It’s thought that this effect is attributed to gingerols – the active compound found in ginger.
Research suggests that gingerols have antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic properties.
Type 2 diabetes – symptoms to spot
Many people have type 2 diabetes without realising. This is because symptoms do not necessarily make you feel unwell.
Symptoms include:
- Peeing more than usual, particularly at night
- Feeling thirsty all the time
- Feeling very tired
- Losing weight without trying to
- Itching around your penis or vagina, or repeatedly getting thrush
- Cuts or wounds taking longer to heal
- Blurred vision.
