Ginger has in its composition the whole complex of essential amino acids for humans, in addition, it contains vitamins and useful trace elements. People who are confronted with such a disease as diabetes mellitus should be attentive to the diet and ensure that food reduces blood sugar levels and stimulates the pancreas.
Quite often, the diet of patients with diabetes includes ginger, about the beneficial properties, precautions, indications and contraindications of this product, we will describe in the material. In the article you can find out what the benefits and harm of ginger and whether it can be used in diabetes of the 1st and 2nd type.
Chemical composition
Diabetes teaches us to always pay attention to the chemical composition of the product and the glycemic index, in simple words, how much the concentration of sugar in the blood will increase after consuming any product.
The glycemic index of ginger is only 15 units.i.e. after eating this product, sharp fluctuations in the level of fructose in the blood will not occur, and the pancreas will not have to work with loads.
It is noteworthy that ginger does not contain harmful fats for the body, on the contrary, by eating it, the vessels will be cleaned of fat deposits.
Does the blood sugar decrease or not?
On the Internet you can find information that ginger helps lower blood sugarThat is an extremely tempting feature for diabetics. And this is true, gingerol is present in the ginger root among the beneficial components. This is a unique substance that favorably affects the absorption characteristics of myocytes.
It increases the ability of myocytes to neutralize glucose in the body without the participation of insulin, which leads to a noticeable decrease in blood sugar levels.
Can I eat for different types of illness?
Before treating with ginger, patients diagnosed with diabetes should take into account the type of disease characteristic of them. Although we are talking about one pathology, the basis of diabetes of the first and second types are different functional disorders, pathogenesis and symptoms.
Type 1
Immediately clarify that The beneficial effect for diabetics from taking ginger has been proven only in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. If a person suffers from a disease of the 1st type, then ginger should be attributed to the forbidden products, the reception of which is contraindicated.
The fact is that the ability of ginger to reduce blood sugar levels in this case refers to negative features. Such properties may complicate insulin therapy. In clinical studies, complications such as syncope and convulsions were observed.
Those who wish to try treatment with ginger, we can advise you to contact your doctor. In some cases (taking into account gender, age of the patient and the characteristics of his disease), products with ginger content are allowed.
But in no case do not start treatment yourself.
Second
For the second type of diabetes is characterized by the inability to control blood sugar levels. The cause of the pathology is an insufficient amount of insulin or the inability of the body to completely “perceive” it.
Doctors believe that in some cases it is not necessary to resort to medical preparations, it is possible to stabilize the condition by popular methods, for example, with a vegetable and completely natural product - ginger root.
Ginger root has a beneficial effect on the digestibility of glucose., we mentioned this above. A two-month course of taking ginger will also increase insulin sensitivity.
In the early stages of the disease, such treatment may result in the desired remission.
What to choose a method of cooking ginger? Marinated ginger is very useful, with its properties and such a dish has only a few contraindications:
- hepatitis;
- pancreatitis;
- hypertension;
- gastritis.
If diabetes is not accompanied by one of these diseases, you can safely eat pickled ginger.
Also ginger tea or tincture recommended (made with dried or pickled ginger), root juice and ginger drink made from powder made from fresh produce. The choice can be made from personal taste preferences.
We offer to watch a video about the features of the use of ginger in type 2 diabetes:
Precautions before use
Contraindications to the use of ginger root include cardiovascular disease, hypertension, individual intolerance to the components, fever with colds.
If at first glance there are no contraindications, consult a doctor before treatment, he will adjust the course of treatment to your individual characteristics.
Care should be taken and people who use drugs that reduce blood sugar levels. After all, ginger also has similar properties, which can ultimately lead to hypoglycemia.
Step-by-step recipe instructions - how to take?
Tea
Ingredient list:
- Ginger root.
- Water.
- Lemon or honey to taste (based on blood sugar levels).
- Fill the resulting mass with boiling water, keeping the proportion - 1 teaspoon of root per 200 milliliters of water.
The drink should be taken three times a day for several months - until the onset of the therapeutic effect. You can also mix with black tea, add a slice of lemon or honey.
Infusion
Ingredient list:
- Dried or pickled ginger.
- Lemon.
- Water.
- Take dried or pickled ginger, 1 lemon and 1 liter of water.
- Raw cut into rings, and lemon - half rings.
- Put all the ingredients in a bowl, pour boiling water.
After the tincture has cooled, it can be taken in 100 milliliters up to 3 times a day before meals. The optimal course of treatment is 1 month, after 30 days you can repeat the treatment.
Candied fruit
Ingredient list:
- Ginger root.
- Sugar.
- Water.
Candied ginger is a sweetness, so the glycemic index should be carefully considered. Many doctors even refer this delicacy to products that are forbidden to eat when diagnosed with diabetes. However, our candied fruits can be made "light" and less sweet. For example, take ginger and sugar in a ratio not 1 to 1, but 3 to 1.
- Root cut into slices and cook for 30-40 minutes, at this time we can do the preparation of syrup.
- Put the sugar in the water based on the ratio of 1 to 3, bring the mixture to a boil and immerse the ginger in it. Boil it in sugar until the slices become transparent.
- Then candied fruits should be put on a plate, let them cool and put in the refrigerator.
Take a delicious and healthy sweetness - at will, following the glycemic index.
Marinated
Ingredient list:
- Ginger root.
- Raw beets.
- Vinegar.
- Salt.
- Sugar.
- Water.
- Take the root (preferably medium size), raw beets, a spoonful of vinegar, 400 milliliters of water, salt and sugar - 5 and 10 grams, respectively.
- Cut the root and beets into medium pieces, add the remaining products and insist for several hours.
Marinated root is used as a seasoning for many dishes. Take - from time to time as a flavoring agent.
The juice
Ingredient list: ginger root.
It is also useful in case of diabetes to use ginger juice. It can be obtained in this way:
- we rub a large root on a grate;
- squeeze the resulting mixture through cheesecloth and full.
Juice is taken on an empty stomach in the morning and evening - five drops each (you should not drink more). The course of treatment is 1 month, the raw material is stored in the refrigerator.
Possible side effects
Side effects in the use of ginger root can occur as an overdose, and with proper dosing of the drug due to increased individual sensitivity.
If you experience the slightest discomfort that may be associated with the use of ginger, you should immediately stop taking the product and contact your doctor for additional advice. Overdose is characterized by the following adverse reactions.:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Flatulence.
- Low or high blood pressure.
- Allergic reactions (mostly skin).
Ginger root is really useful for diabetes, but there is an important clarification - only people suffering from the second type of disease can take it safely. But even in this case, you should consult a doctor before use. Ginger tinctures, tea and root cooked in another form can reduce blood sugar levels and stabilize insulin sensitivity, which has a beneficial effect on the body's condition.