In some parts of the world, this medical “breakthrough” is old news.
This plant grows all over Asia and South America. Its seeds are a staple of Chinese and Indian medicines. Natural healers use them for everything from improving metabolism to aiding childbirth.1 It turns out they’re also a potent weapon for controlling your blood sugar.
We’re not talking about small percentage points here and there. You can use these to lower your fasting blood glucose levels by as much as 40 percent. You can also reduce glucose excretion in your urine—a marker of diabetes risk—by 54 percent in just over a week.2
They’re called fenugreek seeds. And they keep your blood sugar levels stable in a few different ways.
| Thirsty? Fenugreek tea is a great way to get the benefits of fenugreek seeds. It comes with the added bonus of helping reduce fever and relieve menstrual pains.5 |
The soluble fiber in these seeds slows digestion and carbohydrate absorption. This prevents your blood sugar from spiking. The fiber also improves the metabolic symptoms of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It does this by increasing your body’s glucose tolerance.3
Harvard researchers believe that fenugreek also prevents glucose absorption in the gut. There’s one compound in particular that does this. It’s called 4-hydroxyisoleucine. It stimulates the release of insulin.4 Without enough insulin, your body won’t be able to control how it uses glucose. This is what leads to type 2 diabetes in the first place.
Fenugreek seeds aren’t easy to find in their natural form. If you do come across them, try adding the whole seeds to salads. This will give it some extra texture. You can also grind the seeds and use them as a seasoning. But the easiest way to get fenugreek is in supplement form. You can find quality, natural fenugreek supplements in health stores and online.
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References:
1 http://naturalstandard.com/databases/herbssupplements/all/fenugreek.asp?#undefined
2 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2194788
3 http://www.diabetes.co.uk/natural-therapies/fenugreek.html
4 http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Literature-supports-fenugreek-s-blood-sugar-management-potential-Meta-analysis
5 http://www.food.com/library/fenugreek-326