Can Diabetics Eat Garlic

Summary

1. You can reduce your blood glucose levels by eating garlic according to a 2014 review.
2. You can get vitamins C and B-6 form garlic
3. As a diabetic eating raw garlic may have side effects

Diabetes is a condition whereby the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or the produced insulin isn’t used in an effective manner due to cells insulin resistant. As a diabetic, it is your obligation to ensure that you stick to a certain diet to ensure you maintain controlled blood sugar levels.

One way of ensuring that you maintain controlled blood sugar levels is by eating foods that are ranked low on a glycemic index. Basically, a glycemic index is a scale ranged from 1-100 and is used to monitor how fast a certain food substance will increase your blood sugar levels. Anything below 55 is termed as to have a low glycemic index whereas anything above 70 is said to have a high glycemic index.

Garlic though being just a natural food and is low in carbohydrates will influence your blood sugar levels.

Reasons why you should eat garlic as a diabetic

Typically most people can consume garlic however to some the taste spiciness and odor is just a no, no to them.

Since the ancient period garlic has been found useful in helping reduce high blood pressure, reduce bad cholesterol in the body and other chronic diseases. Over 80% of people with diabetes suffer from chronic diseases associated with the heart and this is why it is necessary to consume garlic.

The findings of a study conducted in 2006 indicated that garlic helps reduce blood sugar levels and at the same time reduce the risk of getting atherosclerosis which is a heart disease that most people with diabetes suffer from. This study was later supported by another study conducted in 2014

Garlic is rich in vitamin C which plays a major role in maintaining controlled blood sugar levels and vitamin B-6 that aids in the metabolism of carbohydrates.

Basically, garlic has been linked to:

• Containing antifungal and antibacterial properties
• Reduce blood pressure
• Prevent the growth of cancer cells
• Improve cardiovascular system health

Warnings when consuming garlic

Other than the odor and taste, garlic is totally safe to eat. However, be on the lookout for the following side effects:

• Vomiting
• Gas
• Heartburn
• Diarrhea
• Nausea

Note that you will experience these effects only when you consume raw garlic and not cooked garlic.

If you are under any sort of medication, it is important to consult your doctor before consuming garlic.

How is garlic useful to the diabetic?

Two studies on published in the journal of agriculture and the other on the journal of medical food both indicated that eating garlic increases the body insulin secretion as we as regulate the blood sugar levels by increasing the glucose tolerance.

How to make garlic as part of your diet

Well, if the taste and odor isn’t an issue to you, then you can add garlic cloves as part of your snack salad. There is no limit to how much garlic you can eat so this means that you can add garlic to every salad you have in a day.

If the taste and odor is an issue for you, feel free to go for the garlic greens. The garlic greens are readily available at farmers’ markets and you can chop them having them as savory spreads or salads.

After chopping garlic, allow it to sit for approximately 5 minutes. This will allow for a component known as allicin to be at its highest concentration. This component has the properties of medicinal herbs.

How garlic controls your blood sugar levels

One of the best ways in which you can eat garlic is by crushing it. Take one or two pods of raw garlic and crush them. Ideally, you should eat garlic when on an empty stomach making the mornings a perfect time. You should eat the paste raw but it is too much to handle you can add it to warm water and drink it. There are those who find garlic too pungent. You can add garlic to your daily meal or consume garlic extract pills.

Garlic on blood glucose levels

In a study published in Acta Diabetologica in 2008. 60 patients with type 2 diabetes were sampled. The 60 patients were divided into two groups where one of the group was given garlic supplement famously known as Allicor and the control group was given just placebo. The results indicated that patients who consumed garlic extracts registered a significant decline in their blood sugar levels compared to the control group.

What are the other benefits of consuming garlic to a diabetic?

Garlic has other health benefits to people with diabetes other than lowering the blood sugar levels. The same study that found garlic to lower the blood sugar levels also found that garlic helps in reducing the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood.

Are garlic supplements safe?

There are quite a handful of people who find the odor and taste of garlic to be too offensive. Well, if this is you, then you can opt for garlic extracts. Ensure that you go for garlic extracts that contain Allicin.

What to keep in mind before purchasing any garlic supplement:

• Always ensure that you first seek professional advice to your doctor before adding garlic supplements as part of your meal
• When buying garlic supplements, go for a reputable company that you are sure will not give false information on their product label.
• As much as you hate the odor, never go for a completely odorless product. This would mean that the supplement has been stripped of the sulfur compounds which are particularly beneficial to you as a diabetic

Conclusion

You should not that, cooking garlic kills most of its nutrients and it is thus advisable to eat garlic raw. You can also for garlic supplements but always ensure that you first consult with your doctor.