It is not easy to treat diabetes. A diabetes-friendly diet includes many restrictions. Even the most ‘healthy’ foods can adjust blood sugar levels (See: fruit juice). Diabetes is fast becoming one of the most common conditions worldwide. Diabetes is characterized by too much sugar in the blood (high blood glucose), diabetes is often associated with other health complications such as obesity and stroke. According to WHO, in 2014, 422 million people were diagnosed with diabetes worldwide. The WHO also said that the prevalence of diabetes has been increasing steadily over the past 3 decades and is growing most rapidly in low- and middle-income countries. Lack of awareness about the management of diabetes and its complications, delayed diagnosis, can cause the condition to worsen and even lead to death.
When it comes to diabetes, you need to be careful about your diet. Due to abnormal carbohydrate metabolism, diabetic patients are advised to eliminate processed carbohydrates and take complex carbohydrates. Diabetics are also recommended to take foods with a low glycemic index. The glycemic index (GI) is a relative ranking of carbohydrates in food according to how they affect blood glucose levels. Carbohydrates with a low GI value (55 or less) are digested, absorbed and metabolized slowly and cause a gradual rise in blood glucose.
(Also read: Does Eating Sugary Foods Cause Diabetes?)
When it comes to diabetes, one has to be very careful about diet.
While many experts have talked about the perfect diabetic diet, many of these ‘diet tips’ ignore the struggles of diabetics with ‘liquid calories’. Yes you heard us, liquid calories. So that you are well, avoid all refined carbohydrates and loaded up on grain food and later in the day chugged in a whole bottle of aerated drink. Your actions can undo most of your healthy efforts to manage diabetes naturally. Diabetics should avoid alcoholic beverages and sugar. Various studies and reports have repeatedly confirmed that these drinks are full of liquid calories and can cause blood sugar spikes. Canned fruit juice is also not one of the healthiest substitutes. Fruit juices, especially packaged fruit juices contain fructose which increases blood sugar levels. However, there is one juice that you can have, and it can also help regulate your blood sugar levels naturally. We are talking about karela juice or bitter gourd juice.
Here’s What Bitter Gourd Juice Can Do For Diabetics
Karela juice is a good drink for diabetes. Bitter gourd helps regulate blood sugar levels in the body. Bangalore-based Nutritionist Dr. Anju Sood explains, “Karela juice makes your insulin active. When your insulin is active, your sugar will be used adequately and not converted into fat, which may eventually lead to weight loss”
According to research, bitter gourd has several active substances with anti-diabetic properties. One of them is charantin, which is famous for its blood glucose-lowering effect. Bitter gourd contains an insulin-like compound called Polypeptide-p or p-insulin that has been shown to control diabetes naturally. These ingredients can be used individually or together to lower blood sugar levels.
(Also Read: Karela Juice For Weight Loss: What Makes It The Perfect Drink To Burn Fat)
Karela juice is a good drink for diabetes.
How to Make Karela or Bitter Gourd Juice
Peel the bitter gourd with the help of a knife. Slice the bitter gourd down the middle. When you’re done slicing, remove the white meat and vegetable seeds. Now, take the bitter gourd and cut it into small pieces. Soak the pieces in cold water for about 30 minutes. Add the bitter gourd pieces to the juicer and add half a teaspoon of salt and lemon juice. Mix the ingredients.
To reduce the bitterness, add honey or jaggery, or combine it with sweet fruits like apples or pears. You can also add lemon juice to reduce the harsh taste of bitter gourd juice. A pinch of black pepper and ginger can also reduce the tartness and make it more delicious.
It should be understood that nothing can replace the importance of prescribed medicine and medical assistance. However, one can do a lot ahead of time to manage diabetes well. Drinking a glass of bitter gourd juice can be one of them.
Diabetes
