Stress, an inactive lifestyle, and lack of exercise directly impact diabetes and hamper your body’s overall metabolism. Diabetes can be genetic as well, but it is mainly a lifestyle-borne condition in which the body’s sugar levels are exceptionally high compared to the normal fasting blood sugar level. Since it is considered a chronic disease, a person must take medication to keep blood glucose (sugar) levels in check. However, there are certain home remedies for diabetes that can help you manage your sugar levels effectively.
Madhuparna Pramanick, Diabetes Educator at BeatO, shares, ” There are four pillars of diabetes management: medicines, monitoring, diet, and physical activity. Always remember, a healthy inside gives rise to a healthier outside! Do SMBG on a daily basis and consume methi dana/ karela/cinnamon on an empty stomach to increase body metabolism.”
In this blog, you will learn how to reduce sugar levels through home remedies
Read More: How To Reduce Blood Sugar Levels Immediately? A Step-by-Step Guide
Top Home Remedies for Diabetes
Following are the two essential changes you can make to beat diabetes at home.
(i) By following a balanced diet
(ii) Exercising regularly
One of the most effective home remedies for diabetes is a balanced diet. Here is a comprehensive list of food items that you should consider including in your diabetes diet.
The list of home remedies to reduce sugar levels is below.
Bitter Gourd (Karela)
Bitter gourd is extremely beneficial and great for diabetics. The plant is high in insulin-polypeptide-P, which gives it the power to bring down your blood sugar levels. In addition to this, bitter gourd (also known as karela) is also rich in active substances that have anti-diabetic properties called momordicin and momorcharin.
How to use:
- You should eat karela once a week. You can try Karela curry or sabzi.
- You can also drink karela juice. To prepare this, slice the karela instantly and remove the seeds. Just blend this sliced karela in any blender or mixer. Take it early in the morning (empty stomach).
Fenugreek
Apart from being regularly used in Indian kitchens, fenugreek is also known for its great health benefits. Fenugreek is rich in nutrients that improve glucose tolerance and control diabetes.
How to use:
- Soak 2 tbsp of the seeds in water overnight. Drink the water along with the seeds on an empty stomach in the morning.
- Alternatively, one can consume fenugreek seed powder with milk or even hot/cold water.
Read More: Glucometers And Aging: Managing Diabetes In The Elderly
Mango Leaves
Fresh mango leaves are highly beneficial for diabetics. Mango leaves have multiple health benefits such as lowering blood pressure and treating gall and kidney stones. However, we’ve included it in our list because the biggest benefit of consuming mango leaves is that it reduces sugar levels.
How to use:
- One can sun-dry mango leaves and grind them to powder. Consume this powder with water twice a day for better results.
- Try boiling the mango leaves in water and drinking that water in the morning on an empty stomach.
Read More: How To Reduce Blood Sugar Levels Immediately? A Step-by-Step Guide
Indian Gooseberry (Amla)
Indian Gooseberry (Amla) is rich in Vitamin C and is famous for managing glucose levels. It can help your pancreas to work efficiently to keep your sugar levels balanced.
How to use:
- Remove the seeds and grind 2-3 amlas into a fine paste. Add 2 tablespoons of Amla paste with water to drink every morning.
- Mix bitter gourd and amla juice to get double the benefits. You can take it every morning.
Tip: Even eating raw amla daily can help you reduce your sugar levels
Drumstick Or Moringa Leaves
Drumsticks are rich in nutrients that can maintain your blood sugar levels. It offers a nutrient punch of vitamins including A, C, K, B, along with minerals such as iron, calcium, and magnesium. Drumstick leaves are also a great source of fibre and protein.
How to use:
- Add drumstick leaves to a meal in the form of a sabzi or curry.
- You can also add drumstick leaves to a salad or steam it like spinach.
Sunlight
Sunlight is considered one of the best sources of Vitamin D. According to researchers, Vitamin D is essential for insulin production.
- It is ideal to sit under sunlight for at least 30 minutes daily. This will prevent your Vitamin D deficiency.
- You can consume orange juice, cheese, yoghurt, and cereals. They are rich in Vitamin D.
Water
Diabetes increases the risk of dehydration. To reduce excess glucose, our kidneys try to pass out the excess sugar through urine. However, that means that they also take water.
- Drink a minimum of 2.5 – 3 litres of water daily.
- Exercise regularly to Manage Diabetes
Exercise
Along with a balanced diet, one should also take time to exercise. The following asanas can help keep your diabetes under control.
–Sirsasana
It helps calm the brain and relieve stress.
–Ardha Matsyendrasana
This asana increases the elasticity of your spine.
–Vakrasana
Vakrasana helps in improving digestion and regulates the secretion of digestive juices. Additionally, they help in decreasing belly fat.
–Mayurasana
Mayurasana helps strengthen the organs, including the intestines, spleen, liver, pancreas, and kidneys. It is also great for blood circulation in the abdominal area.
–Bhujangasana
Bhujangasana is great for toning the body and relieving stress and fatigue.
Read More: Yoga for Diabetes: Best Asanas/Poses With Steps For You
Monitoring Sugar Levels at Home
Apart from a proper diet and exercise, one of the most important parts of diabetes management is monitoring sugar levels at home, as one of the effective home remedies for diabetes is monitoring sugar levels at home.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Always keep your testing kit, which includes the glucometer and other supplies, with you at all times.
- Keep a daily log of the readings and discuss any fluctuations with your educator.
- Maintain a routine of how often you want to test your blood sugar.
- Do not reuse your lancet or testing strips. This can increase the chances of infection.
- While testing, do not vigorously squeeze your fingertip. Instead, hand your arm down and let your blood pool to the fingertip.
- Consult with your diabetes educator if you are consuming both ayurvedic tablets for diabetes.
- Once a person develops diabetes, it is important to focus on ways to improve insulin secretion and pancreas functioning mechanisms to reduce the progression of the condition. The aforementioned effective home remedies for diabetes will help you in attaining the same.
Disclaimer:The content of this article is compiled information from generic and public sources. It is in no way a substitute, suggestion, or advice for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. BeatoApp does not claim responsibility for this information .
Dr. Navneet Agarwal is an established and highly skilled Diabetology with over 25 years of experience in Diabetology & Obesity. He is well-regarded for his quality and patient-centered diabetes care. Also, keep track of your blood sugar levels with a Doctors’ approved smart glucometer and elevate your healthcare routine.
