Type 2 diabetes can develop without any major warning signs. It’s estimated that around a third of people who have type 2 diabetes don’t know they have it. Type 2 diabetes is a common condition that causes a person’s blood sugar levels to become too high. For a person who suffers from diabetes, their pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin and insulin controls the amount of glucose in the blood. Eating a healthy diet and exercise can help keep the risk of developing diabetes at bay, however a certain food can also help.
Onions have been used for medicinal purposes since the ancient times and were used to treat conditions such as headaches, heart disease and mouth sore.
Onions are members of the Allium genus of flowering plants that also includes garlic, shallots, leeks and chives. Onions contain various vitamins, minerals and potent plant compounds that have been shown to promote health in many ways.
Eating onions help control blood sugar, which is especially significant of people with type 2 diabetes. Specific compounds found in onions possess anti diabetic effects.
Other benefits of onions:
- Loaded with nutrients
- Helps with heart health
- Loaded with antioxidants
- Helps fight against cancers
- Boosts bone density
- Aids with digestive health
A study presented at the Endocrine Society’s 97th annual meeting conducted on diabetic rats and showed that when rats were given Allium cep – or onion bulb extract, their blood glucose and cholesterol levels were significantly reduced.
The rats given the larger doses of onion extract reduced their blood glucose and cholesterol levels. Antony Ojieh, lead investigator of the study said: “Onion is cheap and available and has been used as a nutritional supplement.
“It has the potential of ruse in treating patients with diabetes.”
Tips for incorporating onions into your diet:
- Add caramelised onions to savoury baked goods
- Add thinly sliced onions to your salads
Onions have been consistently linked to cardiovascular health, for example, and the low glycemic index of onions suggests an ability to help control blood sugar levels
Defeat Diabetes Foundation
- Use onions for stocks and soups
- Make onion soup
- Blend raw onions with fresh herbs, vinegar and olive oil for homemade salad dressings
Defeat Diabetes Foundation said: “Onions have been consistently linked to cardiovascular health, for example, and the low glycemic index of onions suggests an ability to help control blood sugar levels.
Research has also shown that ripe onion juice has anti-diabetic properties, and specifically that its consumption can help prevent hyperglycemia in diabetics.”
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