Fenugreek seeds can be helpful for people suffering from diabetes. The seeds contain fiber and other chemicals that can slow down the body’s digestion and absorption of carbohydrates and sugar. The seeds can also help improve the way the body uses sugar and increase the amount of insulin.
What is fenugreek?
Fenugreek is a plant that grows in Europe and parts of Western Asia. Its leaves are edible. But its small brown seeds are famous for their medicinal uses. The first recorded use of fenugreek dates back to 1500 BC. In the Middle East and South Asia, its seeds were traditionally used as both a spice and medicine.
Fenugreek and diabetes
Fenugreek seeds can be useful for people suffering from diabetes. The seeds contain fiber and other chemicals that can slow down the body’s digestion and absorption of carbohydrates and sugar. The seeds may also help improve the body’s use of sugar and increase insulin levels. Some studies have supported fenugreek as an effective treatment for certain conditions. Many of these studies focus on the seeds’ ability to lower blood sugar in people with diabetes.
A small study conducted in 2009 found that a daily dose of 10 grams of fenugreek seeds soaked in warm water could help control type 2 diabetes. Another much smaller study conducted in 2009 found that the Consumption of baked goods, such as bread, made with fenugreek flour could reduce insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes.
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Other studies have shown that taking fenugreek as a supplement led to a slight reduction in fasting blood sugar. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says that at present, the evidence for fenugreek’s ability to lower blood sugar is weak.
Disclaimer: Some information in news stories is based on media reports. Before implementing any suggestion, you should consult the relevant expert.
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