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Diabetes is a prevalent disease that affects people of all ages. According to statistics, 1.5 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with this disease annually. Since 2017, diabetes has ranked seventh in the top 10 leading causes of death in the U.S. as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Because of the gravity of this disease, scientists are scrambling to find an effective cure for diabetes, and they’ve recently began looking at plants as potential sources of anti-diabetic agents.

When it comes to natural medicines, turmeric (Curcuma longa) is one of a handful of herbs that even non-believers or non-practitioners are likely to be familiar with. A popular spice in Asian cuisine, turmeric, sometimes called Indian saffron or the “golden spice,” has been used medicinally since ancient times. According to Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric is effective for a variety of ailments, especially those that cause inflammation and pain. Modern research has also found evidence of turmeric being a natural pain killer and anti-inflammatory agent.

But aside from these, turmeric has been linked to other health benefits. Studies show that this versatile spice can improve eye health, protect the kidneys from damage, prevent cancer and even lower blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels. In fact, a review published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine reported that curcumin, the active component of turmeric, can be used in the prevention and treatment of diabetes. This is due to the chemical’s positive effects on insulin resistance, blood sugar, blood cholesterol and the health and function of pancreatic cells.

How turmeric works against diabetes

Over the years, scientists have looked into the medicinal properties of turmeric and curcumin, and many studies have confirmed their beneficial effects. With enough scientific evidence supporting turmeric’s traditional uses, turmeric- or curcumin-based products have gained widespread attention recently, especially among health buffs. Both turmeric and its active component are now sold as supplements in the a variety of forms, such as capsules, extracts, powders and teas. Reports suggest that people with diabetes can rely on turmeric or curcumin to provide them with the following:

• Better blood sugar control and lower cholesterol levels.
• A natural way to prevent fat accumulation in the liver.
• An effective means of suppressing inflammation, which also helps delay diabetic complications, such as neuropathy or nephropathy.
• Reduced insulin resistance, which also leads to healthier blood glucose levels.
• Healthier pancreatic beta cells, which are responsible for producing insulin.
• Support for the kidneys for better creatinine and urea clearance from the blood.
• Protection from different types of cancer (e.g., breast cancer, bowel cancer, stomach cancer and skin cancer)
• Improved reproductive function in males (i.e., erection) through its ability to increase blood flow to the penis.
• Improved digestion, courtesy of curcumin’s ability accelerate stomach emptying.
• Antioxidant protection from oxidative damage, which is linked to the development of chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Best ways to use turmeric for diabetes

Adding turmeric to your recipes is one of the best ways to enjoy its benefits. A common spice in Indian cuisine, turmeric is best known as the main ingredient in curry and as a natural colorant that can give foods an attractive yellow color. But there’s more than one way to use turmeric as a natural treatment for conditions, especially diabetes. Here are some excellent ideas that you can try: (h/t to TimesOfIndia.IndiaTimes.com)

1. Turmeric milk — A simple way to make use of this “miracle herb” is to add turmeric (powder) to boiled milk. Use any milk of your choice.
2. Turmeric milk with black pepper — According to studies, curcumin suffers from poor bioavailability. But this can be easily remedied with the addition of black pepper, whose active component piperine can enhance the absorption of curcumin. Simply add black pepper to turmeric milk after the mixture has cooled down.
3. Turmeric milk with cinnamon — Like turmeric, cinnamon has also been shown to help lower blood sugar and blood cholesterol levels. Mix a pinch of cinnamon with your turmeric milk and drink it in the morning. Their combined effects can help reduce diabetes symptoms.
4. Turmeric milk with honey — Adding a little bit of honey to your turmeric milk can go a long way, not just in enhancing the flavor of your drink, but also in boosting the benefits of turmeric. Honey and turmeric together have incredible healing properties that can help with diabetic wounds.
5. Turmeric milk with ginger — Another ingredient that works well with turmeric is ginger. Together, both can improve fasting blood sugar levels. Simply add a pinch of ginger powder to your turmeric milk and enjoy.
6. Gooseberry juice with turmeric — Gooseberry is known for its anti-diabetic and cholesterol-lowering properties. Combined with turmeric, these superfoods can help stabilize blood sugar levels. To prepare this remedy, mix a pinch of turmeric powder with two tablespoons of gooseberry juice and take it in the morning.

Turmeric is both unique and versatile, whether as a spice or a medicinal herb. It also offers plenty of health benefits, thanks to its abundance in beneficial compounds. While turmeric and curcumin supplements are easy to find and purchase, make sure to check their quality and buy products only from trusted sources. Also, seek advice from a natural health practitioner before taking any supplements to ensure your safety and avoid undesirable effects.

Sources:

Diabetes.org

CDC.gov

MedicalNewsToday.com

DiabetesSelfManagement.com

Hindawi.com

TimesOfIndia.IndiaTimes.com