
Turmeric has been popular in Chinese and Indian medicine for centuries. People today use it to improve liver function, ease digestive problems, and relieve pain. But how can it help diabetics? Here are the top 6 benefits of turmeric for diabetes patients.
Promotes Weight Loss
Curcumin, the active component in turmeric, can help you lose weight. It prevents the blood vessels from forming fat deposits, which greatly helps in maintaining a healthy weight. Additionally, curcumin helps prevent the accumulation of fat in the organs in your body.
By adding turmeric to your diet, you can lose weight and avoid diabetes complications that are associated with obesity. It can also help prevent the onset of obesity-induced diabetes.
Lowers Insulin Resistance
People suffering from diabetes have high insulin resistance, meaning their pancreas can’t produce sufficient amounts of the hormone. This causes glucose levels in the blood to skyrocket and it may eventually damage the pancreas.
Luckily, turmeric can help by improving the cell function of the pancreas. This promotes the production of insulin, and the higher levels of insulin take care of the excess glucose in your blood.
Lowers Blood Sugar
A number of scientific studies have found that turmeric and curcumin are very good at keeping the blood sugar levels under control. Thus far, the studies have been conducted on animals, mostly rats, and mice.
We already mentioned the reparation of pancreatic cells and propagation of insulin production. But turmeric can also help regulate the blood sugar levels by reducing the production of glucose in your liver.
Supports Vital Organs
Turmeric can help fight off the oxidative agents that can damage the liver and impede its functioning. The oxidative agents are prevented from forming fat deposits in your liver, which means that turmeric can protect you from fatty liver disease. In addition to this, turmeric also boosts the production of enzymes that combat toxic substances in your metabolic system.
Fights Heart Disease
Diabetes patients often suffer from endothelial dysfunction. This is a heart problem characterized by reduced production of chemicals in the endothelium that controls the contraction and relaxation of heart muscles. The lack of these chemicals may also cause platelet adhesion and blood clots, as well as compromise the immune system.
High levels of glucose can also put you at a greater risk of heart disease. High glucose levels lead to oxidization of lipids in cell membranes. This damages the cells and may even damage the DNA within them.
Turmeric helps lower cholesterol, which promotes the health of your heart’s endothelial lining. It also improves the health of your blood vessels.
Reduces Diabetic Complications
Turmeric can also help stave off diabetic complications. It plays a prominent role in the prevention of diabetic nephropathy, a kidney disease caused by diabetes.
There are five stages of the disease, with the final being ESRD (end-stage renal disease). It is characterized by the complete failure of kidneys and is potentially lethal.
Studies have found that taking 500mhg of curcumin, turmeric’s active component can stop the onset and progression of diabetic nephropathy.
Final Thoughts
Turmeric is a fantastic food with countless health benefits. It can help diabetics with weight regulation, blood sugar levels, diabetes-induced complications, heart disease, and liver problems.
References:
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3857752/
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3857752/
[3] https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/diabetes.htm