As we all know, spices are used for cooking. But did you know that some spices not only make food delicious but also help stabilize blood sugar? The American "Rodale" Health website recently introduced various spices with natural anti-sugar effects. Let's find out what they are.
1. Cinnamon
Multiple studies have shown that consuming cinnamon can lower blood sugar levels. The phytonutrients abundant in cinnamon can reduce inflammation and promote weight loss by lowering cholesterol and accelerating metabolism.
Braised Lion's Head
2. Cumin
This spice is often paired with meat. Using cumin in moderation can lower blood sugar and cholesterol. Research also shows that cumin is effective in inhibiting advanced glycation end products (AGEs), compounds that are harmful to people with diabetes.
Cumin Potatoes
3. Fennel
Both the fennel plant and its seeds contain chemicals that can combat diabetes. Anethole can block several inflammatory factors in the body and also has anti-cancer effects.
Wa-style Hand-Torn Chicken and Rice Porridge
4. Garlic
Garlic is beneficial for heart health and can help prevent cancer. Garlic has the strongest anti-inflammatory effect, inhibiting inflammatory factors in the bodies of diabetic patients. The benefits of garlic also include: it can lower blood sugar, blood lipids, and C-reactive protein (an inflammatory marker).
Missing Your Taste -- Wuhan's Famous Hot Dry Noodles
5. Ginger
Ginger is a perfect food for fighting diabetes and high blood lipids. First, it promotes calorie burning, and second, it increases satiety, which is beneficial for weight loss. A study published in the *Journal of Medicinal Food* showed that after diabetic patients consumed dry ginger powder in divided doses for 30 days, their blood sugar levels decreased by 17%, triglycerides by 9%, total cholesterol by 8%, and low-density lipoprotein by 12%.
Ginger Papaya Crepe Roll
6. Mint
The natural antioxidants in mint can combat diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and aging. It is recommended to use fresh mint rather than dried mint in tea bags.
Mint Black Peanuts
7. Rosemary
Rosemary can be beneficial for the heart and also helps in treating metabolic syndrome.
Rosemary Roasted Potato Slices