Sugar is a key substance for the functioning of various organs, such as muscles or the brain, thanks to the fact that it is an important source of energy.
However, when its levels are not maintained within the indicated ranges, hyperglycemia can be generated, which indicates high blood glucose levels. This glucose comes from the foods people eat, and insulin plays a key role in controlling it.
This hormone is responsible for transporting glucose to cells to give them energy. However, when a person has high blood sugar, it may be because their body isn’t producing enough insulin or can’t use it properly.
The Medline Plus medical library states that people with diabetes can develop high blood sugar if they don’t eat the right foods or take their medications correctly.. Other problems that can raise blood sugar are infections, certain medications, hormonal imbalances, or serious illnesses.
When a person has sugar problems, it is important to maintain, in addition to treatment, a healthy lifestyle in which the diet is balanced and physical activity practiced on a regular basis. In addition, you can resort to the intake of certain plants which, due to their properties, help to control sugar levels.
Ginseng: an article published in the newspaper The Spaniard indicates that the glucose-reducing power of this plant is due to “its content of panaxanes, which increase the secretion of insulin in the body, improving the response of the cells”.
One of the ways to consume it is in infusion. To make it, a tablespoon of ginseng and a cup of water are used. Put the water on the fire until it reaches a boiling point and add the plant, let it boil for five minutes and then remove it from the heat. It is left to stand, drained and can be drunk two or three times a day.
It is important to know that “regular consumption of this product may cause side effects in some people, such as anxiety, headaches or insomnia, for example. Also, pregnant women should not consume this tea without medical supervision,” says wellness and health portal Tua Saúde.
Green tea: Some of the compounds in green tea have been shown to stimulate glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells, thereby lowering blood sugar.
The Healthline portal cites a review of 17 studies involving 1,133 people with diabetes and without diabetes, which found that drinking this tea significantly reduced fasting blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), a marker of control at long-term blood sugar. Reviewers recommend drinking three to four cups of green tea daily to reap the benefits listed above.
Chamomile: Although this plant is known for its digestive properties, it also stands out for its potential to lower blood sugar. The Better with Health portal cites research published in the magazine Nutrition, in which the benefits of chamomile on glycemic control and the prevention of complications in diabetic patients were determined.
Its benefits are linked to its abundant content of antioxidant compounds that also protect the body against the effects of free radicals, harmful substances that affect cells and tissues.
Salvia: This herb has hypoglycemic effects, so it helps lower blood sugar, control diabetes, and can even regulate sugar in prediabetes, says Tua Saúde. It can be prepared as an infusion by adding two tablespoons of dried leaves to a cup of boiling water. Then it is left to rest for 10 minutes, drained and ready to eat. The recommendation is to consume it twice a day.