Diabetes is a metabolic disease characterized by high blood sugar, which can adversely affect the tissues, organs, and cells of the whole body due to elevated blood sugar levels, leading to various complications.
In 2022, the number of diabetes patients in China reached 140.9 million, an increase of 53.7 million from 2020, accounting for 26.2% of the total number of reported patients worldwide.
Some believe that garlic is a “trigger” for diabetes. Is this really the case? To prevent diabetes, it is essential to have a balanced diet. What other foods can cause blood sugar levels to rise? Let’s find out today.
Is garlic a “trigger” for diabetes?
Garlic contains allicin, which has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, hence known as “natural antibiotics.” Eating garlic in moderation can boost the immune system, help stabilize blood sugar, and improve insulin sensitivity due to its selenium content, thereby preventing diabetes complications.
From these aspects, consuming garlic in moderation can benefit diabetes patients, and garlic is not a “trigger” for diabetes.
What are the benefits of eating garlic for the body?
1. Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties:
Garlic, being a pungent food, possesses inherent anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Consumption of garlic can effectively alleviate oral inflammations.
2. Prevention of cardiovascular diseases:
Garlic helps prevent fat deposition in the cardiovascular system, lowers blood lipids and viscosity, promotes vasodilation, regulates blood pressure, inhibits platelet aggregation, and reduces the risk of heart diseases and strokes.
3. Anti-aging effects:
Certain components in garlic exhibit antioxidant properties similar to vitamin E and C, combating aging. Garlic promotes blood circulation and contains abundant vitamin E in the yolk, which inhibits free radicals, slowing down vascular and skin aging.
4. Inhibition of cancer cells:
Allicin in garlic blocks the synthesis of carcinogenic nitrosamines, inhibits the proliferation of various cancer cells, induces apoptosis, and possesses strong bactericidal and fungicidal effects. The trace elements selenium and germanium in garlic play crucial roles in inhibiting tumor cells by enhancing the body’s immunity, exerting anti-cancer effects.
5. Protection of liver function:
Garlic is an excellent detoxifying agent due to its selenium content. Selenium aids in aerobic metabolism and toxin clearance, alleviating the burden on the liver.
To prevent blood sugar spikes, it is advisable for diabetes patients to minimize their consumption of the following six foods:
1. Sticky rice:
Sticky rice has a high sugar content compared to other grains, exacerbating the body’s burden and hindering recovery due to the large glucose production post-consumption.
2. Fried foods:
Fried foods like chicken strips, fried chicken, and fries are rich in fats post-frying, leading to obesity and impacting blood sugar levels negatively. Therefore, it is not recommended to consume fried foods regularly to avoid high blood sugar levels.
3. Pickled foods:
Pickled foods, containing high salt levels, elevate sodium ions in the body, affecting blood osmotic pressure and causing blood sugar imbalances. To prevent high blood sugar, minimize the consumption of pickled foods.
4. Longan fruit:
While common, longan fruit contains glucose and protein that activate cell activity, strengthening hematopoiesis effects. Excessive consumption can lead to internal heat and worsen conditions, particularly for diabetes patients due to high glucose content.
5. White congee:
Overcooked white congee can spike blood sugar as it is easily absorbed post-congealing. Instead, opt for whole grain congee like brown rice, sorghum, and corn with lesser impact on blood sugar stability.
6. Seafood:
Diabetes patients are advised to limit seafood intake as it is rich in purines and cholesterol. Excessive consumption can cause blood sugar spikes, posing risks to blood sugar stability, hence the suggestion to minimize seafood consumption.
7. Sugarcane:
Sugarcane has relatively high sugar content, not recommend for diabetes patients. Its fructose and glucose are rapidly absorbed, leading to blood sugar spikes and worsening conditions, affecting blood sugar stability and possibly triggering complications.
8. Cakes:
Cakes primarily comprise starch, cream, and egg yolk, leading to glucose conversion after ingestion. Rich in saturated fatty acids and high cholesterol, cakes elevate blood sugar, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
To lower blood sugar levels, diabetes patients should:
1. Exercise moderately to boost immunity, metabolism, and improve cardiovascular functions, preventing diseases and controlling blood sugar.
2. Maintain a positive attitude to prevent blood sugar fluctuations caused by emotional stress, fostering confidence in overcoming the disease and adopting an optimistic outlook on life.
3. Monitor blood sugar levels regularly to facilitate doctors in formulating and adjusting treatment plans based on your blood sugar fluctuations. Patients with unstable blood sugar need to test 5 to 7 times daily, including post-meal readings and bedtime levels.
4. Stay hydrated by consuming warm white water, preventing blood thickening to fundamentally avoid blood sugar spikes.
5. Undergo regular check-ups, crucial for monitoring disease progression and guiding medication use. Essential biochemical examines include blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, urine analysis, glycosylated hemoglobin, microalbuminuria, and lipid panels, aiding in strict disease control and the prevention of acute and chronic complications.
