Regulating blood sugar levels is important for maintaining overall health, especially for individuals with diabetes or those at risk of developing it. Including juices that have a low glycaemic index (GI) can be beneficial in managing blood sugar levels as well as taking care of overall hydration and nourishment. While it is mostly believed that consuming vegetables and fruits in their natural forms is ideal, juicing is also a quick way to ensure your body gets its essential nutrients without having to spend too much time pottering about in the kitchen. Here are five health concoctions you must consume, in order to regulate blood sugar levels.
Lemon Water
Starting your day with a glass of warm water mixed with the juice of half a lemon is known to have a negligible effect on blood sugar levels as well as aiding digestion. A powerhouse source of vitamin C, lemon water is known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which helps in lowering blood sugar levels significantly.
Cucumber Juice
Image Credits: Be Bodywise
Cucumbers have a low glycaemic index along with being high in fibre, making them a good choice for regulating blood sugar. Blend fresh cucumbers with water to make a refreshing and hydrating juice and consume on an empty stomach before eating any kind of solid food. Cucumber juice also has soothing properties that cool down the body as well as the digestive system.
Spinach Juice
A combination of leafy greens like spinach, kale, and celery or simply adding a generous handful of spinach to your morning glass of juice can provide essential nutrients while keeping blood sugar levels stable. If you find the flavour to be too grassy or vegetal, adding some small amount of low-sugar fruits like apples, or even a squeeze of lemon juice for flavour might make it more appealing to consume for diabetics.
Also Read:
Tomato Juice
Image Credits: Koti Beth
Tomatoes are low in carbohydrates and are low in glycaemic index. Freshly juiced tomatoes or low-sodium tomato juice can be a good choice to help regulate blood sugar. The lycopene content in tomato juice also helps the body fight against insulin resistance while also increasing the hormone’s effects on blood cells. Blanch the tomatoes lightly for a minute or two in boiling water before adding a pinch of pink salt and consuming.
Bitter Gourd Juice
Bitter gourd is known for its blood sugar-regulating properties due to the presence of a compound that functions similar to insulin. Bitter gourd juice has been famously known to reduce blood sugar levels in both, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic patients and proven to be effective to the extent where patients can easily reduce the dosage of their diabetic medicines and maintain a balance.