Aunt Li was diagnosed with diabetes during a recent physical examination. This made her very worried, because she heard that diabetes was a “disease of wealth” and required long-term medication to control it.
“Lao Wang, have you heard? Some vegetables can lower blood sugar. Is it true?” Aunt Li asked her friend Uncle Wang.
After hearing this, Uncle Wang pondered for a moment, and then slowly told Aunt Li: “Auntie, I know you are worried about your condition, but lowering blood sugar is not that simple.
While some vegetables do help control blood sugar, they are not a complete replacement for medications. “
After listening to Uncle Wang’s words, Aunt Li fell into deep thought. She decided to follow the doctor’s advice, take medicine on time, and control her blood sugar through diet and exercise.
In fact, there are not a few diabetics like Aunt Li. With the improvement of living standards and changes in dietary structure, the incidence of diabetes is increasing year by year.
As for how to lower blood sugar, there are various opinions circulating on the Internet, among which “sugar-lowering vegetables” are one that has attracted much attention. So, are these so-called “sugar-lowering vegetables” really that magical?
01 Are peanuts a cause of diabetes?
Peanuts are a nutritious nut, rich in protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Moderate consumption of peanuts is good for your health. Some studies have shown that components such as unsaturated fatty acids in peanuts may be helpful in lowering blood sugar. However, this does not mean that peanuts can replace anti-diabetic drugs.
Because peanuts themselves also contain high calories and fat, excessive intake will cause blood sugar to rise. Therefore, for diabetics, it is okay to eat a moderate amount of nuts every week, but the total caloric intake must also be controlled.
02 5 kinds of vegetables are “hypoglycemic vegetables”, more reliable than taking medicine?
Although vegetables such as bitter melon, pumpkin, broccoli, white radish and okra have certain nutritional value, they cannot directly replace hypoglycemic drugs to lower blood sugar.
- Bitter Melon
Bitter melon is believed to have a hypoglycemic effect, mainly due to the insulin-like substances it contains, as well as components such as bitter melon saponin and polypeptide-P.
However, the hypoglycemic effects of these ingredients vary from person to person, and long-term consumption and a certain dosage are required to achieve health care purposes. Therefore, bitter melon can be used as part of auxiliary dietary therapy, but it cannot completely replace drug treatment.
- Pumpkin
Pumpkin is rich in nutrients such as dietary fiber, vitamin C, magnesium and potassium, which are helpful in controlling blood sugar levels. In particular, the beta-carotene contained in pumpkin has the effect of lowering blood sugar levels.
However, pumpkin also contains a certain amount of sugar, so diabetic patients need to pay attention to the appropriate amount when eating it and cannot use it as the only means of lowering blood sugar.
- Broccoli
Broccoli is rich in dietary fiber and chromium ions, which can help delay the absorption of glucose by the gastrointestinal tract and improve insulin sensitivity, thereby assisting in lowering blood sugar. But again, it is not a replacement for antidiabetic medications.
- White radish
Although white radish is rich in nutrients and beneficial to the human body, it does not have a direct hypoglycemic effect.
The main function of white radish is to promote gastrointestinal peristalsis, laxative, and assist in eliminating stagnation. For diabetic patients, it is okay to eat it in moderation, but it cannot be expected to have a significant hypoglycemic effect.
- Okra
The pectin and other viscous substances contained in okra can reduce the absorption rate of glucose and help diabetics control blood sugar. However, this does not mean that okra can replace antidiabetic medications. Pectin also exists in other vegetables, such as cabbage, peas, etc., and can also achieve similar hypoglycemic effects.
03 To control blood sugar, self-management is the key
So, how should diabetics manage themselves?
- Eat a ration and avoid overeating
First of all, you should eat regularly and quantitatively to avoid overeating. Choosing foods with a low GI value can help keep blood sugar stable. For example, whole grains, vegetables, fruits and other foods are good choices.
- Maintain moderate exercise
At the same time, you should insist on moderate exercise, such as walking, jogging, swimming and other aerobic exercises, which can help improve the body’s metabolic level and promote the utilization and consumption of blood sugar.
In addition, it is also important to maintain a good attitude, because excessive psychological stress can cause blood sugar fluctuations.
- Take medication as directed by your doctor
In addition to diet and exercise, diabetic patients also need to take medications on time as directed by their doctor. Antidiabetic medications can help regulate blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of complications.
However, different patients have different conditions and physical conditions, so appropriate drugs and treatment options need to be selected under the guidance of a doctor.
- Check blood sugar regularly
At the same time, regular blood sugar testing is also an indispensable link in order to understand your condition in a timely manner and take appropriate measures.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that requires long-term management. Patients need to control the condition through a variety of measures such as a reasonable diet, moderate exercise, taking medications as prescribed by the doctor, and regularly testing blood sugar.
Although those so-called “hypoglycemic vegetables” have certain nutritional value, they cannot completely replace drug treatment.
