6 types of vegetables are 'miracle drugs' to lower blood sugar, sold in Vietnamese markets but many people don't know about them and use them

Diabetes is a chronic disease, and there is currently no cure. Therefore, patients will always have to depend on medication and adjust their diet and lifestyle to control blood sugar and prevent complications to a certain extent.

When it comes to the diet of people with diabetes, the first impression is that they have to abstain from many things. However, there are also some types of vegetables that, if eaten in moderation, will help prevent and support the treatment of this disease very effectively. Among them are 6 types of vegetables that are extremely familiar, cheap and easy to buy in Vietnamese markets as follows:

1. Bitter melon

Bitter melon contains an active ingredient called Momordica, which has been shown to have hypoglycemic effects in several animal studies. This substance acts like insulin, thereby reducing blood sugar.

The best way to use bitter melon to lower blood sugar is to make it into juice or smoothie and not add sugar (Illustration photo)

Momordica can affect glucose metabolism in the body through different pathways. Including increasing insulin sensitivity, promoting glucose utilization and reducing glucose production in the liver. Specifically, making more glucose enter the cells then storing this glucose in the liver, muscles or fat and vice versa.

Or saponins, polysaccharides, peptides, alkaloids in bitter melon are also believed to be able to exert insulin-like effects by fighting free radicals. But the effectiveness when used as food is much lower than the extraction, purification and other manipulations that are effective in the form of pills or subcutaneous injections.

The most effective way to lower blood sugar with bitter melon is to drink the juice instead of eating processed bitter melon. But it should not be used on an empty stomach.

2. Pumpkin

Pumpkin is rich in fiber, which can help delay stomach emptying and increase feelings of fullness. The fiber in pumpkin blocks the absorption of sugar, which can significantly lower blood sugar after eating. In addition, pumpkin also contains a number of natural phytochemicals, such as polyphenols and carotenes, which are thought to have the ability to reduce blood sugar levels.

However, scientific studies have shown that pumpkin is more effective in preventing diabetes than in treating it. Because if diabetics eat a lot of pumpkin, especially overripe pumpkin, the type of pumpkin that is too sweet (high glycemic index), it will be counterproductive. But if eaten in moderation, no more than 200g per day, it will be effective in controlling blood sugar significantly.

3. Eggplant

One common feature of vegetables that are good for diabetics is that they are rich in fiber, and eggplant is no exception.

Fiber, when entering the intestine, helps food to be digested and absorbed into the blood more slowly, thereby helping to stabilize blood sugar and not increase too quickly. Eggplant also has a very low glycemic index, estimated to be between 15 and 30. According to experts, foods below 55 help stabilize blood sugar.

Eggplant can be processed into many delicious dishes, good for health and against diabetes (Illustration photo)

However, eggplants stand out because they contain natural polyphenolic compounds like lycopene and anthocyanins. These have been scientifically proven to be beneficial for blood sugar control and overall health by reducing the risk of sugar absorption and increasing insulin secretion. Eggplant polyphenols also help reduce the amount of enzymes that affect blood sugar absorption and blood sugar in the body.

4. White radish

White radish has a low glycemic index, meaning it causes blood sugar levels to rise more slowly during digestion. This is beneficial for blood sugar control.

At the same time, white radish can also extract a vegetable oil that is rich in unsaturated fatty acids. Such as Omega-3 fatty acids and Omega-6 fatty acids, as well as some other vitamins and antioxidants. These substances have been shown to increase the breakdown of fat and starch and have a hypoglycemic effect. Omega-3 fatty acids are also beneficial in reducing inflammation and improving insulin sensitivity, thereby having a positive effect on blood sugar control.

In addition, white radish has a rich fiber content and a low glycemic index (reflecting the rate of increase in blood sugar), so this is an ideal food to prevent and treat diabetes. However, white radish juice is considered more effective than cooked white radish.

5. Okra

When it comes to foods that prevent and support lowering blood sugar, okra cannot be ignored. As mentioned, fiber has been shown to better control blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity, and okra is rich in this. In particular, the fiber in okra is also soluble fiber, so it can slow down digestion and reduce the impact of carbohydrates on blood sugar. At the same time, okra also helps keep you full longer.

In particular, okra's slime contains some substances that are useful in controlling blood sugar. It forms a layer of mucus in the intestines, which can slow down the absorption of glucose, causing blood sugar levels to rise more slowly.

Okra also helps maintain glucose levels and prevents any kind of damage to the kidneys. Thanks to good excretion, blood sugar levels will be controlled at a stable level.

6. Broccoli

Broccoli is even called the “poor man’s green ginseng” because it has so many health benefits but is not expensive, so everyone can eat it.

This vegetable is considered the key to slowing down, even reversing diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes. This is the conclusion from a study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine by Swedish scientists. This is thanks to the effects of a compound called sulforaphane found in broccoli.

Broccoli not only lowers blood sugar but also helps lose weight and reduces the risk of cancer (Illustration photo)

Broccoli itself is also rich in soluble fiber and antioxidants, which help control blood sugar levels and prevent or reduce sugar spikes. Soluble fiber improves insulin sensitivity by feeding the beneficial bacteria in the gut.

Additionally, some studies have shown that broccoli contains chromium, which may affect insulin function and glucose metabolism, potentially helping to lower blood sugar levels. Research on this issue has only been done on mice and is still being expanded, but it has shown some effects of broccoli on blood sugar control.

Source and photo: Sohu, Family Doctor, Eat This

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/6-loai-rau-la-than-duoc-ha-duong-huyet-ban-day-cho-viet-nhung-nhieu-nguoi-chua-biet-ma-dung-172240324065558508.htm