Diet is synonymous with lowering blood sugars in type 2 diabetes and lowering serious health risks.
By following a healthy diet and keeping active, you can effectively manage your blood sugar levels and many ways to do this can be cost-effective too.
Numerous animal studies have found a certain ingredient helps to increase the secretion of insulin, and improve the function of cells that produce insulin.
This in turn helps to keep blood sugars at a healthy range throughout the day suggesting it to be a novel breakfast addition.
Low-carbohydrate breakfasts have been found to be ideal when it comes to controlling blood sugar levels with a £1 added ingredient increasing benefits and keeping blood sugar levels healthy throughout the day.
Cloves have been found to help keep blood sugar levels in check and are known to promote insulin production, further controlling diabetes.
Antioxidants and eugenol which are present in cloves help to optimise the pancreas functions which is all crucial for insulin production.
Dr Luke Powles from Bupa Health Clinics spoke with Express.co.uk and said: “Research has shown that eating cloves may lead to a reduction in blood sugar, which may be useful to people with type two diabetes.
Previous animal studies noted that the clove supplement group experiencing a significant decrease in blood glucose levels.
There was also a significant decrease in leptin levels found among the clove group.
“The rabbit research showed that clove was particularly effective to reduce blood glucose level within diabetic rabbits,” noted Dr Powles.
“Clove was also found to be useful in reducing the amount of leptin found within the rabbits’ blood.
“Leptin is a hormone that your body makes to help maintain your weight on a long-term basis. The more leptin you have in your blood, the more body fat you have.”
Another study which was published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, found that supplementing with clove extract can cause blood sugar levels to stay healthy throughout the day suggesting they’re a good breakfast choice for many.
The research also found that both study groups saw how a clove extract helped to significantly lower after-meal blood sugar levels.
When it comes to diet, Dr Powles recommends: “Opt for foods with a low glycaemic index (GI) to help avoid blood sugar spikes.
“For example, reduce the amount of saturated fats in your diet, keep portion sizes sensible, choose whole grain foods over white varieties (like pasta, bread and rice), and incorporate lots of pulses, fruit and vegetables and oily fish into your diet, and you’ll likely see a reduction in blood sugar levels.”
