The standard American Diet (SAD) in filled with artificial ingredients, and hybridized and refined byproducts making it difficult to balance blood sugar. Within one generation of the introduction of refined foods many degenerative diseases such as T2D (type-2 diabetes) have proliferated globally (Mozaffarian 187). The more deviated foods become from their natural state, the less ability they have to nourish the body and become toxic burdens. These foods manifest into waste products that the body is unable to process, thereby obstructing channels, blocking vital nutrients from reaching minute areas of the body.
Individual foods have been included throughout history for their properties and special effects on the doshas to balance T2D, diseases of excess and weight management. The dietetic therapeutics of many foods, as well as their chemical changes they undergo as they are processed through the digestive system has been included in the classic Ayurvedic texts.
Many of the foods and herbs recommended in the Ayurveda diet for T2D work to balance blood glucose, optimize digestion and reduce the buildup of toxic internal waste. By rediscovering traditional foods, we can reduce our dependency on overly hybridized, genetically modified, chemically laden foods. Here are a few Ayurvedic foods that are highly recommended to balance T2D:
1. Barley
Barley has the highest amount of dietary fiber among the cereals. It’s leaves have a high antioxidant activity, beneficial for the prevention of T2D, metabolic syndrome, as well as diseases caused by oxidative stress damage.
Barley is a rich source of magnesium, a mineral that acts as a co-factor for more than 300 enzymes, including those involved in glucose metabolism and insulin secretion.
Good source of–soluble fibers–selenium–phosphorus–copper
All of which have demonstrated their effects on metabolic syndrome, lipid metabolism and bowel function.
2. Jackfruit
Jackfruit is an integral part of the common Indian diet and can now be found in many health food stores around Santa Cruz. Jackfruit has been highly recommended throughout traditional Ayurveda as a treatment for T2D and studies have confirmed that it improves the glucose tolerance.
Proven to promote weight loss, improve insulin sensitivity, normalize hyperlipidemia and manage complications related to T2D.
3. Fenugreek
Fenugreek has been used in culinary dishes and has many healing properties
–anti-diabetic effects
–enhances digestion
–anti-microbial, cleanses the body
–reduces inflammation
–anti-oxidant
–anti-cancer
The plant properties in fenugreek work to balance glucose tolerance, reduce inflammation, as well as improve insulin action, liver function, blood lipid metabolism, and cardiovascular health.
Just 5 grams of fenugreek has showed significant reduction in fasting blood glucose, 2-hour glucose, and HbA1c.
The search for foods to treat T2D has been a major focus of scientific research across the globe. Due to its minimal side effects and affordability, dietary therapeutics have been used traditionally for the management and treatment of T2D world-wide. By including some of these Ayurvedic foods in the daily diet one can balance blood glucose, optimize digestion and reduce the buildup of toxic internal waste.
