Garlic has potent anti-diabetic properties. Vampires hate it but you should not. Find out why.
Several studies have found that bioactive chemicals in garlic could be used to lower blood glucose levels in diabetes and enhance immune functions.
Garlic is a popular kitchen ingredient in most parts of the world. In fact, people across the globe have been using this wonderful plant to prevent or treat a number of ailments. For example, heart diseases, blood pressure, and infections.
In this article, we will explore the major science-backed benefits of garlic in diabetes patients.
Garlic in Diabetes: What Studies Say?
- Garlic reduces insulin resistance (IR). According to 2017 study published in Food and Nutrition Research, taking a garlic supplement significantly reduces the levels of HbA1c. HbA1c or glycated hemoglobin is a key marker of diabetes. It gives an idea of what your blood sugar levels have been over a period of weeks or months.
- Garlic increases the levels of C-peptide. Connecting peptide or C-peptide gives a measure of how much insulin your pancreas is producing. Simply put, higher levels of C-peptide correspond to higher insulin production. After just two weeks of supplementation, garlic can induce a considerable increase in the levels of C-peptide.
- Garlic improves heart health. People with diabetes often have cardiovascular diseases like high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol levels. Garlic supplementation helps to lower the levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and also improves the blood levels of good cholesterol (HDL). Together, these effects decrease your risk of developing the diseases that damage the blood vessels.
Is it Safe to Take Garlic for Diabetes?
Though garlic is unlikely to cause any serious health effects, it can cause some minor side effects. For example, heartburn, indigestion, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort. You may be able to reduce the incidence of the side effects by adding garlic to your diet rather than taking it alone in raw form.
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[expand title=”References“]
- Turkish Journal of Parasitology. URL Link. Retrieved October 29, 2017.
- Food and Nutrition Research. URL Link. Retrieved October 29, 2017.
- Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine. URL Link. Retrieved October 29, 2017.
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