Type 2 diabetes can be a 'devastating diagnosis' says expert
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Type 2 diabetes stems from a dysfunction in the body the body produces insulin – a hormone secreted by the pancreas. The primary role of insulin is to regulate blood sugar – the main type of sugar found in blood. Without this mechanism, blood sugar levels can rise to dangerous levels.
To counter this threat, you must find alternative means of regulating blood sugar levels.
Diet holds the key and specific items have been touted for their blood sugar-lowering prowess.
According to recent research published in the journal Hindawi, drinking hibiscus tea can deal a decisive blow to blood sugar levels throughout the day.
Hibiscus tea is made from the flowers and leaves of the hibiscus plant.
For the study, researchers recruited 18 participants.
Subjects were selected randomly into two groups: control group and treatment group.
The treatment was hibiscus tea, a dose of two grams, duration two times a day given in the morning and evening after meals for 21 days.
There was a “significant decrease” in blood sugar levels after consuming hibiscus tea compared to the control group, the researchers wrote.
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What’s more, other markers of heart disease, such as cholesterol and high blood pressure, were also reduced.
“Rosella [hibiscus tea] has shown evidence to control and lower blood pressure, blood glucose, lipid profile, and cortisol in the elderly with metabolic syndrome,” the researchers concluded.
Other benefits of hibiscus tea
Hibiscus tea is packed full of antioxidants which may help prevent damage to the cells and oxidative stress caused by the build-up of free radicals.
Studies conducted on animals have shown that hibiscus extract can reduce the harmful effects of free radicals by up to 92 percent.
Free radicals not only cause ageing but they can also heighten your risk of illness and diseases.
General dietary tips to lower blood sugar
To keep high blood sugar levels at bay, you should refer to the glycaemic index (GI).
The GI is a rating system for foods containing carbohydrates. It shows how quickly each food affects your blood sugar (glucose) level when that food is eaten on its own.
Type 2 diabetes – symptoms to spot
Many people have type 2 diabetes without realising. This is because symptoms do not necessarily make you feel unwell.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:
- Peeing more than usual, particularly at night
- Feeling thirsty all the time
- Feeling very tired
- Losing weight without trying to
- Itching around your penis or vagina, or repeatedly getting thrush
- Cuts or wounds taking longer to heal
- Blurred vision.
Due to the vagueness of symptoms, type 2 diabetes is often diagnosed following blood or urine tests for something else, says the NHS.
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