13 Everyday Foods To Manage Diabetes Naturally

By Kapiva Editorial

Diabetes has become a common condition, being one of the most diagnosed diseases by doctors in recent years. This chronic condition causes fluctuations in your blood sugar levels, as a result of imbalances in insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating glucose in the body. There are two types of diabetes: type-1 is where your immune system destroys cells that produce insulin, and type-2 is caused by the body not being able to produce enough insulin or respond to it.

While a healthy diet, exercise, and in most cases medication suggested by modern medicine is necessary to treat it, certain plants, fruits, vegetables, etc with medicinal value have been proven to be effective to manage diabetes as well. Here are 13 such foods for diabetes that can help in prevent and manage diabetes.

1. Green Leafy Vegetables

food for diabetes

Greens are one of the best food for diabetes. Veggies like spinach, cabbage, and kale can not only prevent and control diabetes but also help manage insulin secretion and sensitivity. They are rich in fibre, antioxidants, and flavonoids, and studies show these can also lower blood sugar levels after meals by delaying carbohydrate absorption!

2. Strawberries

control diabetes for health benefits

Are you a fruity person? Strawberries are great food for diabetes. The extract from this red fruit helps lower blood sugar and increase insulin. Antioxidants in strawberries are supposed to have these hypoglycemic effects. The polyphenols in them also increase insulin sensitivity, helping manage diabetes.

3. Garlic

manage diabetes

Garlic isn’t just a flavour powerhouse; it helps control diabetes as well. Research shows it can regulate your blood sugar levels in addition to increasing the production of insulin and decreasing insulin resistance in the body. So go ahead and grab those garlicky dishes to make it your favoured food for diabetes!

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

control diabetes

Some apple cider vinegar a day can help manage diabetes. That’s right, this acidic liquid can reduce post-meal blood sugar spikes as well as reduce insulin resistance in the body. It is also believed to inhibit enzymes that suppress the absorption of starch from carbs, in turn helping manage sugar levels.

5. Chia Seeds

manage diabetes

Known as a super food for diabetes, these tiny seeds can stabilise your blood sugar levels, helping you manage diabetes effectively. Packed with fibre, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants, chia seeds slow down digestion and release of glucose into the bloodstream. They can absorb a lot of water though, so stay hydrated when you include these in your diet.

6. Flax Seeds

control diabetes

Flaxseeds are another powerhouse food for diabetes that can have many benefits to manage diabetes. Lignans and soluble fibre in flaxseeds can help prevent both type-1 and type-2 diabetes and are also shown to help manage glucose levels, which can control diabetes in prediabetic people.

7. Beans

food for diabetes

Another fibre-rich food for diabetes, beans help manage your blood sugar levels. How? They help suppress the enzyme alpha-amylase, which is responsible for the digestion of starch. This means it slows down the breakdown of starch into sugar, which gets absorbed into your bloodstream. Research shows that this helps prevent and manage diabetes.

If veggies is not something you love then try Kapiva’s Dia Free Capsules. Our Dia Free capsules contain Gurmar, an ayurvedic wonder herb also known as sugar destroyer, along with other Ayurvedic herbs like Giloy, Haldi, Karela, Kutki which prove very efficient to control blood sugar levels naturally.

8. Nuts

food for diabetes

Go nuts for nuts! Did you know this healthy snacking option is one of the best food for diabetes as it reduces blood sugar? The magnesium and unsaturated fats in nuts are believed to lower fasting blood sugar in people with type-2 diabetes. Not only that, eating nuts can also lower the chances of heart disease in diabetics, according to research. So much on a few nuts next time you are hankering for a snack to control diabetes.

9. Greek Yoghurt

manage diabetes

A popular form of dairy the world over, yoghurt can prevent and also manage diabetes. Studies have shown having it daily can help lower the chances of type-2 diabetes. The good bacteria and probiotic effects of yoghurt are believed by experts to affect insulin in your body, warding off the onset of diabetes in those who are at risk for it.

Is dairy something that you don’t prefer? Why not try green tea instead? Kapiva’s Madhu Tula Green Tea is a composition of 16% green tea leaves and 84% ayurvedic herbs like jamun seeds, licorice, cinnamon and others that improve insulin sensitivity, thereby regulating blood sugar and helping control diabetes. Made from 100% natural ingredients our product contains no added preservatives.

10. Broccoli

control diabetes

A versatile green veggie, broccoli can dramatically lower blood sugar levels. Antioxidants in broccoli have been found to protect against liver damage due to diabetes. Its blood sugar reduction is comparable to an antidiabetic drug known as metformin. Treat yourself to a bowlful of this amazing food for diabetes.

11. Moringa

food for diabetes

We know managing blood sugar is an important part to manage diabetes. Moringa, packed with antioxidants and fibre, helps stabilise glucose in your bloodstream. It does this by slowing down the absorption of sugar from carbs. Additionally, it is chock full of vitamins and antioxidants that help reduce inflammation, which has adverse effects on insulin resistance in the body. Moringa also helps manage obesity which is important for your efforts to control diabetes.

12. Jamun

manage diabetes

You may notice your blood sugar levels spike after a meal. Jamun inhibits the enzyme α-amylase that helps break down starch from our food into sugar, keeping blood sugar levels stable. It also works wonders in improving your insulin levels because it is packed with powerful anti-diabetic ingredients called phenolic compounds. They not only increase insulin levels and stimulate insulin secretion, but also reduce blood sugar levels and glucose intolerance, and even delay the absorption and release of glucose in the body.

13. Karela

control diabetes

Karela, also known as bitter gourd, works in surprising ways to help manage diabetes. It mimics insulin in your body, helping you use sugar as energy by moving it into your cells. It also stimulates your pancreas into releasing insulin, helping keep blood sugar levels low and control diabetes. But that’s not all; it also improves glucose tolerance and prevents insulin resistance!

Real Herbs For Effective Diabetes Control

control diabetes with kapiva

A traditional ayurvedic combination of karela, amla, jamun, and guduchi, Kapiva Dia Free Juice regulates carbohydrate metabolism which keeps the blood sugar levels in check.

These herbs have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that help remove toxins from the blood, stimulate liver function and help control your blood sugar levels naturally. Kapiva Dia Free Juice helps control your sugar levels and does not contain any added sugar, colour or flavour. Our Dia Free Juice is Keto-friendly and Vegan.

This information is part of the series produced for

academy-logo

Doctor

Kapiva Editorial

We are a team of food scientists and Ayurveda experts at Kapiva. Our mission is to raise awareness and educate people on ancient principles and herbs found in traditional texts. We work together to develop the most comprehensive content on Ayurveda which is grounded in peer-reviewed, scientific research.