If you’re looking to treat your diabetes without prescription medications, many natural supplements can help make it easier to manage your condition.
If you’re interested in using these herbal remedies and supplements, it’s important to know about their potential benefits and side effects.
Using them with your other treatments will give you the best chance of managing your diabetes in an effective, natural way that doesn’t involve drugs or insulin injections.
Here are 10 amazing herbs and supplements that can help!
1) Cinnamon
Several studies, including a study published in Diabetes Care, have demonstrated that cinnamon may be able to reduce blood sugar levels.
One study revealed that just half a teaspoon of cinnamon can lower fasting blood glucose levels by up to 20 percent in people with type 2 diabetes.
Further research is still needed on cinnamon’s role as an antidiabetic treatment but it has earned a spot as an herb worth considering if you have type 2 diabetes.
Cinnamon also offers anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
2) Ginger
Ginger may help with controlling blood sugar levels. It also helps prevent various types of cancer, reduces inflammation, promotes digestion, protects against liver damage, controls nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, prevents gallstones, alleviates asthma symptoms, treats gum disease, and is an antioxidant.
In a study published in Diabetes Care, individuals who supplemented with 1 gram of ginger powder daily experienced reductions in fasting blood glucose levels.
What’s more? Lab tests involving rats given ginger extract treatments along with a high-fat diet over 12 weeks showed reduced plasma glucose concentrations compared to rats who didn’t receive ginger.
3) Turmeric
Turmeric is a popular Indian spice often used in curries. Studies show that it may be able to reduce blood sugar levels, making it a promising option for type 2 diabetics.
In one study, patients with type 2 diabetes took 1,000 milligrams of turmeric three times per day. After 30 days, their blood sugar levels dropped by almost 23 percent compared to those who did not take turmeric.
Although no human studies exist just yet, animal research suggests that turmeric can ease type 2 diabetes symptoms.
Similarly, ginger extracts were found to decrease fasting glucose and A1C in rats with chemically-induced diabetes.
While these results are very promising (and worth pursuing), more clinical trials are needed before recommendations can be made.
4) Garlic
This pungent, flavorful herb can help lower blood sugar in several ways. It has been shown to increase glucose metabolism by stimulating insulin release or enhancing glucose uptake.
Garlic also blocks the formation of AGEs (advanced glycation end-products), which are formed when foods are cooked at high temperatures.
As it turns out, many of these AGEs play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes and heart disease! They also contribute to aging (naturally).
When exposed to heat, garlic’s allicin breaks down into ajoene—another beneficial compound that may help reduce harmful enzymes known as lipoxygenases.
5) Apple Cider Vinegar
There’s a lot of debate over whether apple cider vinegar works or not. Some people insist that it helps lower blood sugar, while others argue that it doesn’t work at all.
Still, others say it can be used as an effective way to balance insulin levels naturally. If you suffer from diabetes and want to try apple cider vinegar, check with your doctor first and take into account any additional health conditions you may have.
Dilute 1 teaspoon in a glass of water once per day before bedtime. Many people say that ACV tastes awful (it does) so you might want to add another source of sweetness, like honey or stevia extract.
6) Aloe Vera Juice
Many people with diabetes use aloe vera juice as a natural sweetener. Packed with carbohydrates, aloe vera juice helps people avoid blood sugar spikes.
It is often used in herbal tea blends or taken directly by those who are trying to manage their glucose levels naturally.
The main benefit of aloe vera juice is that it contains fiber and gel, both of which slow down digestion so that you can maintain steady blood sugar levels.
But if you’re diabetic, be sure to consult your doctor before adding a new supplement into your daily routine—especially if you take medication regularly or have any chronic health conditions.
7) Berries
The plant compound in berries called anthocyanin has been shown to protect against diabetes, as well as lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
Raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries are great sources of anthocyanins. Try including them in your diet at least three times a week!
One simple way to do so is by making your smoothie. Frozen berries can be easier on your wallet than fresh ones—just don’t forget about them in your freezer!
For added fiber, protein, or vitamin content look for frozen berry blends that contain a variety of fruit.
8) Leafy Greens
Leafy greens are an excellent source of fiber, which will help prevent blood sugar spikes. That fiber, plus other vitamins and minerals found in leafy greens, also helps regulate insulin levels.
Research has shown that people who eat dark green vegetables at least twice a week have a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.
Leafy greens also contain carotenoids like lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, and alpha-carotene; these antioxidants may also help lower diabetes risk as well as reduce some eye diseases associated with high blood sugar (since diabetes can cause changes in blood vessels).
Some studies have shown that these nutrients can improve your body’s sensitivity to insulin.
9) Spinach
When it comes to managing diabetes, spinach is king. This green leafy vegetable will help you increase your levels of good cholesterol while reducing bad cholesterol, lowering your risk of cardiovascular disease at the same time.
If you’re trying to lose weight, spinach is also a great option, as it can help reduce cravings for sweets by lowering your blood sugar levels.
Try out some recipes with spinach; making these healthy recipes at home may convince you that those bottled mixes from grocery stores don’t have anything on them!
10) Beans
Beans are, again, a great source of fiber—but they’re also a good source of resistant starch. The type of resistant starch found in beans is called pectin. Pectin makes your body resist some carbohydrates (called digestible starches), which may keep your blood sugar levels low after eating beans.
The other downside with beans—they contain much more carbs than protein or fat, so don’t go overboard with them unless you want that extra boost of energy.
If you consume too many beans, you may experience stomach pain or diarrhea as well. If your goal is weight loss or better insulin management, stick to one cup of legumes daily.