Diabetes can be a devastating disease – but only if you let it.  This selection of twelve super foods was designed to deal with the various health troubles associated with diabetes.

Pick the ones that work best for you and integrate them into your diet, along with your current medication. Never stop medication just because you are exercising or are trying out a more natural, healing diet.  Healing diets and foods should only be used as a complementary component to your current medication.

Vinegar

According to a study from the Arizona State University (East), a few tablespoons of vinegar is capable of instantly lowering blood sugar levels.  In the study, pre-diabetic individuals and diabetic individuals were asked to take two tablespoons of the stuff before eating.

The results were amazing – the pre-diabetic individuals’ blood sugar level dipped by about ½ while the diabetics’ blood sugar levels dropped about ¼ its former level. Vinegar was taken before full meals (two meals, everyday).

Beef steak

Believe it or not, beef steak is actually beneficial to diabetics thanks to a compound called CLA or conjugated linoleic acid. According to Messrs.  Murray and Lyon, renowned authors of the book “Beat Diabetes Naturally”, CLA found in beef seems to be capable of fixing problems with sugar metabolism in the body.

The same compound also seems to have anti-cancer benefits, too.  In a complementary study performed in Norway, test subjects who were given a few grams of conjugated linoleic acid lost a staggering nine percent of their total weight in 12 months.  If you want to reap the benefits of this wonder compound, try to find free-range beef.  You only need three to four ounces of free-range beef to get a healthy dose of CLA.

Chocolate

Here’s another reason to love chocolate: it can help prevent type 2 diabetes.  In a recent study performed in Tufts University, it was found that dark chocolate (not white or anything else) improved a person’s insulin sensitivity and also had positive effects on a person’s blood pressure, cholesterol level and blood circulation (by improving the blood vessels’ function).

A few bites per day should be enough.  Again, anything excessive is bad for your health.  Chocolate is still loaded with fat and calories, so best limit yourself to modest portions when eating it.

Collard greens + spinach + kale

These three well-loved vegetables all contain the chemical compound called lutein, that is known worldwide as an eye vitamin.  People with high blood sugar levels tend to develop eye damage over time, and it’s important that early on, you take the steps to protect your eyes.  In addition to lutein, these great veggies also have minerals and vitamins as an added benefit.

Nuts!

Who would have thought that nuts would play a great role in helping diabetics?  While it is still unclear why people who eat plenty of nuts are protected against heart disease (diabetics are very prone to cardiovascular anomalies) many attribute its health benefits to a naturally occurring compound called tocotrienols.  However, like chocolate, nuts can be a nuisance because of the calories they pack.  Limit yourself to about two tablespoons of this food everyday.

Green Tea

Did you know that chronic inflammation can actually cause heart disease?  Chronic inflammation can be caused by a sedentary lifestyle and bad eating habits – something that is far too common today.  Inflammation can also decrease the body’s capacity to absorb sugar in the blood.

An easy remedy to this would be to drink natural green tea (regular tea bags would do) plus cranberry juice.  You can also use orange juice (concentrates contain more vitamin C than freshly pressed juice).  This will naturally fight swelling and inflammation.  Use tea as a replacement for your regular dose of coffee.

Legumes

All kinds of legumes offer the same benefit: they’re full of vital nutrients and fiber, which slows down the passage of sugar or glucose in the bloodstream.  Add the legumes to your dishes and soups for a quick fix of fiber.  With more fiber in your diet, you will feel less hungry and sudden changes in blood sugar levels can be avoided.

Fiber-packed foods

Based in a study done in the University of Texas (SW Medical Center), it was found that individuals who increased their fiber intake to about fifty grams per day had marked improvements in their blood glucose levels.

It was noted that this approach was even more effective in reducing sugar than some conventional anti-diabetes drugs.  Whole grain foods (pastas, breads, etc.), fruits and veggies should be served daily for an adequate dose of fiber everyday.

Cold water fish

Due to the higher risk of heart disease in diabetics, diabetics need a regular dose of omega-3, a naturally-occurring fatty acid in cold water fish.  Fish like the Atlantic mackerel and sardines are a great source of omega-3.  Omega-3 targets LDL (low-density lipoproteins) – which is considered the ‘bad’ cholesterol. Inversely, eating more cold water fish increases high-density lipoproteins, which is considered “good cholesterol”.

Citrus delights

Love citrus fruits?  Well it’s time to eat more, because it appears that diabetics also have trouble retaining vitamin C.  While you can simply take supplements to get your dose of vitamin C, eating fruits is more enjoyable and gives you access to the other nutrients present in citrus fruits.

Cinnamon

Half a teaspoon of the great spice cinnamon has been found to increase the body cells’ capacity to utilize sugar.  According to a medical study done in Maryland, in forty days’ time, regular intake of cinnamon was able to reduce blood glucose levels in numerous diabetic test subjects.  Regular use of the spice also had positive effects on the heart, too.

Apple

Apple contains quercetin, which has been found to reduce the risk of diabetes and heart problems.  Other sources of this nutrient include onions and berries, as well as most vegetables.

Source
menshealth.com