Diabetes is more common in obese individuals, usually due to an excess intake of nutrients that cannot be digested, affecting the normal secretion of insulin in the body, which can lead to diabetes. For people with diabetes, controlling their diet is the most direct and effective way to lower blood sugar. Eating less high-sugar and high-protein foods and consuming more vegetables can activate insulin in the body, helping to lower blood sugar.
1. Bitter Gourd
Although bitter in taste, bitter gourd is effective in lowering blood sugar as it contains compounds that assist in reducing blood sugar levels. Bitter gourd is also rich in vitamins, aids in digestion, and has detoxifying properties. It’s important to note that bitter gourd has a cooling nature, so eating it raw for weight loss or quick blood sugar reduction is not recommended.
2. Lettuce
Lettuce is rich in dietary fiber, which aids digestion and has a slimming effect. It also contains a substance called nicotinic acid, which can activate insulin in the body, thereby helping to lower blood sugar.
3. Onion
It is well-known that onions can help lower blood sugar. Onions have a pungent taste, low sugar content, and can help regulate the metabolism of fats. This, in turn, reduces body fat content, naturally lowering blood sugar and blood lipids.
4. Broccoli
Broccoli is also a vegetable with very low sugar content. Known for its anticancer properties, broccoli also performs well in lowering blood sugar levels.
5. Cucumber
Cucumbers, refreshing and sweet in taste, have low sugar content. The main nutrients in cucumbers are vitamins, carotene, and minerals, with one component inhibiting sugar in the body, preventing it from converting into fat, thus lowering blood sugar and blood lipids.
6. Purslane
Purslane is a common wild vegetable rich in dietary fiber, aiding digestion, and containing fatty acids that can activate insulin in the body, helping control blood sugar levels.
Fundamentally, lowering blood sugar is about controlling the intake of sugar. It’s essential to understand that not all sweet-tasting foods contain high amounts of sugar; the misconception lies in starchy foods having higher sugar content. Therefore, to lower blood sugar, controlling the intake of these foods is crucial, along with incorporating the vegetables mentioned above to better regulate blood sugar levels.