November is American Diabetes Month. Maintaining blood sugar levels in the normal range is a daily concern for millions of Americans. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 34.2 million Americans—just over 1 in 10—have diabetes. 88 million American adults—approximately 1 in 3—have prediabetes.
Many people are searching for natural ingredients they can incorporate into their diet to assist in maintaining their blood sugar in a normal range.
These ingredients could be of help:
Acerola Cherry Fruit Powder
Acerola cherry is a plant that is native to tropical regions of the Western Hemisphere. It’s also commonly called the West Indies cherry, Barbados cherry, or just simply “acerola.”
Acerola produces cherry-like berries, but it’s not a true cherry. These berries are pleasant-tasting and have been used in modern and folk medicine. Acerola may be beneficial for hyperglycemia (high blood glucose.)
Banaba Leaf Powder
Banaba is a plant native to the Philippines and Southeast Asia. Traditionally, the leaves have been used to address particular health conditions.
Banaba could be helpful for glucose regulation and metabolism, enhanced cellular uptake of glucose, preventing the generation of glucose from certain non-carbohydrates and inhibiting intestinal breakdown of sucrose.
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract
Bitter melon is a vegetable used in India and other Asian countries. The fruit and seeds are used medicinally. Bitter melon has the potential to reduce insulin resistance and decrease blood glucose levels.
Brown Rice Flour
According to Healthline.com, the flour made from brown rice offers a variety of potential health benefits. It can help lower blood sugar levels, reduce body weight and protect against heart disease.
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
Healthline.com explains that Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are composed of short fructose chains. They are a type of carbohydrate called oligosaccharides. FOS occur naturally in many plants.
Fructooligosaccharides are subtly sweet and low-calorie. They are non-digestible, so they don’t have an effect on blood sugar levels. FOS may also have multiple health benefits, such as reducing the potential of some foods to raise blood sugar.
Mucuna Pruriens Extract
Known as the dopa bean, mucuna pruriens is a natural herbal supplement used in Ayurvedic medicine, an ancient practice from India, that may lower stress, reduce anxiety, improve focus, boost the libido, and elevate mood, as well as reduce blood glucose levels.
Sorghum flour
Sorghum flour is finely ground from the whole grain kernel of sorghum. This is an ancient cereal grain common throughout Australasia and Africa. Its roots can be traced back 5000 years and is the fifth most important cereal crop in the world. Sorghum flour is high in fiber and a good source of antioxidants which can help fight inflammation and heart disease. It is slow to digest and may help to balance out blood sugars levels.
Beta-glucans
Beta 1,3/1,6-D-Glucan is a type of fiber found in the cell walls of baker’s yeast.
Beta-glucans are a scientifically proven biological response modifier, BRM (BRM defined as “Substances that stimulate the body’s response to infection and disease.”) So, beta-glucans give a powerful boost to the immune system. They are also known to have the potential to reduce blood glucose levels.
Milk Thistle Powder
Milk thistle (silymarin) is a flowering herb related to the daisy and ragweed family. It is native to Mediterranean countries. It’s known to have antioxidant properties and may decrease blood glucose.
Stevia (leaf) extract
Stevia leaf extract comes from the stevia plant, which originates in South America. The primary components extracted from the stevia leaf are called steviol glycosides. Extract from these plants are used in stevia sweeteners to provide a sweet taste without calories in many foods and beverages. What many people don’t realize is that stevia leaf extract may decrease blood glucose levels in people with high blood sugar without producing hypoglycemia (low blood glucose.) It can also have a revitalizing effect on the beta-cells of the pancreas.
Turmeric Root Powder
Turmeric, a plant in the ginger family, is native to Southeast Asia and is grown commercially in that region, primarily in India. Its rhizome (underground stem) is used as a culinary spice and in traditional medicine.
Historically, turmeric was used in Ayurveda and other traditional Indian medical systems, as well as Eastern Asian medical systems such as traditional Chinese medicine.
Curcumin is a major component of turmeric, and the activities of turmeric are commonly attributed to curcuminoids (curcumin and closely related substances). Curcumin gives turmeric its yellow color.
Turmeric (curcumin) has the potential to suppress blood sugar.
It is possible to positively impact your blood sugar level with natural ingredients by including them in your diet or taking them as supplements.