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Does Garlic Really Support Healthy Blood Sugar?

Health and fitness

By SandhayaPublished about a year ago 3 min read
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How to control blood sugar

Garlic has been used throughout history as an all-natural treatment for various ailments, including high blood sugar levels, but is there evidence behind these claims? Or are people just trying to cut corners when it comes to their diet? The answer to both questions is yes! Let’s talk about garlic and healthy blood sugar.

What is garlic?

Garlic is a member of the lily family, related to onions and shallots. It's known for it's distinctive taste and aroma. It has been used both medicinally and as a spice in cooking since ancient times. Garlic is grown throughout the world, but China produces the most by volume, followed by India, Russia and the United States. In fact, more than half of all garlic consumed worldwide comes from China. When you have healthy blood sugar levels, your body can better control its glucose levels. Studies have shown that people who consume diets high in garlic have lower risk factors for heart disease and diabetes. A study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that participants who had more than four grams per day of fresh garlic had significantly lower fasting blood sugar levels after six weeks compared with those consuming one gram or less per day of fresh garlic.

What are the benefits of garlic?

Garlic not only supports healthy blood sugar, but it also:

-Reduces inflammation in the body -Lowers cholesterol and triglycerides -Boosts the immune system -Prevents cancer -Prevents heart disease Garlic is a powerful ingredient that can be used to help maintain a healthy blood sugar. It helps balance blood sugar levels by decreasing appetite and supporting the conversion of food into energy. It's especially important to include garlic in your diet if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, or high blood pressure because garlic may lower your blood pressure as well. Another perk of garlic is its ability to promote weight loss. That's because garlic contains allicin which stimulates thermogenesis (production of heat). By stimulating thermogenesis, blood sugar levels are stabilized and blood fats are prevented from building up. What's more, studies show that allicin prevents the spread of breast cancer cells as well!

How does garlic support healthy blood sugar levels?

Garlic is an herb that has been used for centuries to ward off vampires and other ills. It's also been used as a folk remedy to support healthy blood sugar levels. Many studies have shown that consuming garlic helps regulate blood sugar levels by inhibiting the activity of alpha-glucosidase, which breaks down carbohydrates into glucose. When this enzyme is inhibited, blood sugar levels are regregulated-cells are less likely to become resistant to insulin. Furthermore, garlic contains allicin, a chemical that stimulates insulin production in pancreatic cells and has been found in animal studies to increase their sensitivity to insulin.

Are there any side effects of taking garlic supplements?

There are no known side effects of taking garlic supplements. However, it is important to note that large amounts of garlic may cause stomach irritation and an upset stomach. If you have any concerns, consult your doctor. You should not take this supplement if you're currently being treated for a blood sugar disorder or high cholesterol or if you're on prescription blood-thinning medications such as warfarin or aspirin. If pregnant or breastfeeding, do not use without first talking with your doctor. Consult your doctor before using any new medication, herb, or supplement during pregnancy. If you are diabetic, monitor blood sugar levels closely when starting the product and then adjust doses accordingly.

What are some other natural ways to support healthy blood sugar levels?

A healthy diet, exercise and being mindful of your blood sugar levels are all ways to support healthy blood sugar levels. But there are also a number of natural remedies you can use to help stabilize these levels, including garlic, cinnamon and ginger. These three spices have been shown to stimulate the insulin receptors in the body, which helps improve blood sugar balance. You can add them to your dishes or consume them on their own for a quick boost of flavor. Add one teaspoon of ground cinnamon to a cup of hot water, simmer for 5 minutes and then enjoy. For this recipe, you can also substitute the ground cinnamon with ground ginger.

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