Diabetes is a disease in which the body’s sugar cannot be metabolized due to a disorder of insulin secretion. Nowadays, people tend to consume high-calorie, high-sugar foods in their diet, coupled with busy work schedules and lack of exercise. As a result, high blood sugar is becoming more common, which can lead to diabetes in the long run.
In severe cases of diabetes, insulin must be used long-term to lower blood sugar levels, in addition to dietary control. Having to inject insulin every day can be very troublesome. Recent studies have found that some plants contain components similar to insulin, which can help control blood sugar levels in diabetic patients just like artificial insulin, offering the possibility of alleviating the reliance on medication through dietary methods. Let’s take a look together.
[Insulin Overview]
Insulin is a protein hormone secreted by the pancreatic islet β cells upon stimulation by endogenous or exogenous substances such as glucose, lactose, ribose, arginine, glucagon, etc. Insulin is the only hormone in the body that lowers blood sugar while promoting glycogen, fat, and protein synthesis. Exogenous insulin is mainly used for diabetes treatment.
[Natural “Insulin” in Food]
We all know that diabetic patients need to use insulin to control blood sugar levels. Many plants contain natural plant insulin, which is a pure and healthy medicine for lowering blood sugar. For individuals with high blood sugar or diabetes, consuming these foods can effectively control blood sugar levels and, in the long term, help diabetic patients reduce their reliance on blood sugar-lowering medications. Below are some foods recognized by medical experts as containing “natural insulin,” let’s take a look.
– **Winged euonymus**: Accelerates the secretion of insulin in the body, achieving bidirectional regulation of blood sugar and insulin levels. Unique components in winged euonymus can repair pancreatic B cells, activate the pancreas, enhance blood sugar control capacity, regulate blood lipids, and strengthen the patient’s immune system while reducing triglycerides and cholesterol levels.
– **Dendrobium officinale**: Contains dendrobium polysaccharides that can lower blood sugar. The basic pathogenesis of diabetes lies in yin deficiency and heat. Dendrobium officinale nourishes the internal organs, boosts immunity, and prevents complications. Traditional Chinese medicine classifies diabetes into upper, middle, and lower categories, with dendrobium officinale playing a significant role in treatment when combined with other herbs.
– **Mulberry leaves**: Contains tetracosanol, which lowers blood sugar levels and promotes the conversion of excess glucose into glycogen without affecting normal blood sugar levels. It not only does not harm the body’s health but also effectively inhibits and treats diseases with high blood sugar levels.
– **Burdock**: Remarkably lowers blood sugar, blood lipids, and blood pressure, nourishes the kidneys, promotes yang, lubricates the intestines, regulates bowel movements, inhibits cancer cell growth, diffusion, and relocation, and chelates heavy metals in the body, making it an ideal natural health food.
– **Bitter buckwheat tea**: Contains various flavonoids, mainly rutin, which dilates blood vessels and reduces vessel fragility. Clinical trials have shown that bitter buckwheat not only lowers blood sugar but also has a triple effect of reducing blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood sugar. This is beneficial for diabetic, gout, and hypertensive patients to control blood sugar and pressure, and regulate blood lipids.
– **Pomegranate**: Rich in organic chromium, a trace element that many diabetic patients lack. Studies have shown that chromium supplementation helps improve glucose tolerance in diabetic patients and those with abnormal glucose tolerance, leading to reduced blood sugar and lipid levels, enhancing insulin sensitivity.
– **Pu-erh Tea**: Components in Pu-erh tea can help lower blood sugar levels in diabetic patients, and the enzymes in it assist in treating and recovering from diabetes. Therefore, drinking Pu-erh tea regularly benefits diabetic patients and prevents complications. Long-term consumption of Pu-erh tea does not affect the blood sugar levels of healthy individuals.
– **Golden pothos flower**: Extracts and inhibits α-glucosidase, balancing blood sugar levels and effectively reducing and preventing diabetic complications. Instructions: Brew 4-5 flowers in boiling water every morning and night, replacing the flowers after 3-4 brews.
