3 reasons fenugreek is an effective home remedy for diabetes

Here's why you should include fenugreek or methi seeds in the diet if you are suffering from diabetes or prediabetes.

Just like many diabetic-friendly foods like bitter gourd, amla and jamun, fenugreek (methi) is also known to be an effective home remedy for controlling blood glucose levels. And this is the reason why including methi in the diet, either in the form of methi laddoo or eating soaked methi early in the morning is recommended for controlling diabetes. But did you know how exactly fenugreek helps with fighting diabetes? Here s how fenugreek can lower your blood glucose level and control diabetes.

How does it help?

This home remedy not only helps in managing type 2 diabetes but also helps with weight loss and lowering your lipid profile, which are known to be risk factors for diabetes. Here s how it helps in controlling blood glucose level in people suffering from prediabetes and diabetes.

#1 Lowers blood glucose level

According to a 2014 study published in the Nutrition Journal [1], the hypoglycaemic effect of fenugreek is attributed to the presence of soluble fibre, which not only reduces the rate of digestion by the enzymes but also reduces the absorption of glucose from the GI (gastrointestinal) tract. These seeds also contain trigonelline, a compound which increases insulin sensitivity and also reduces glucose levels in the blood. Moreover, the presence of 4-hydroxyisoleucine, a novel amino acid, in fenugreek stimulates glucose-dependent insulin release by the pancreatic cells thereby helping you to control your blood glucose naturally.

#2 Exerts hypolipidemic effect

Fenugreek seeds are also packed with polyphenols and flavonoids which exert antioxidant action thus lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the body. The fibre galactomannan exerts lipid lowering effect by forming a viscous gel in the intestine and hence, limits the absorption of lipid and glucose. It also contains around 48% fibre and 26% proteins making it a healthy dietary alternative for people suffering from diabetes and at risk of high cholesterol and lipids. This is the reason, fenugreek is also used as an active ingredient in many Ayurvedic formulations [2].

#3 Delays onset of diabetes in prediabetics

If you are suffering from prediabetes or borderline diabetes, there is a high chance that you might suffer from diabetes within a span of two three years if proper dietary control and fitness regimen is not followed. However, including fenugreek in your diet (10 g per day) delays the onset of prediabetes to diabetes due to its decreased insulin resistance [3]. The high alkaloid content in fenugreek seeds increases serum insulin levels along with reducing LDL cholesterol levels and hence, help you to maintain the blood glucose level of control. Studies have reported that eating a fenugreek diet showed a significant reduction in the fasting blood sugar along with improving the glucose tolerance test [4]. Here s a diet plan diabetics can use for better blood sugar control.

How to use it?

A 2009 study [5] published in the International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research revealed that fenugreek seeds exert hypoglycaemic effects when used in the soaked form. When powdered fenugreek seeds which were soaked in hot water were consumed for eight weeks,people suffering from type 2 diabetes showed effective control of blood glucose. However, including fenugreek seeds in your diet or eating a methi laddoo early in the morning also plays a vital role in maintaining your blood glucose level. Here s How to use methi or fenugreek for 20 health problems.

References

1. Neelakantan N, Narayanan M, de Souza RJ, van Dam RM. Effect of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) intake on glycemia: a meta-analysis of clinical trials. Nutrition Journal. 2014;13:7. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-13-7.
2. Kumar P, Bhandari U. Common medicinal plants with antiobesity potential: A special emphasis on fenugreek. Ancient Science of Life. 2015;35(1):58-63. doi:10.4103/0257-7941.165629.
3. Gaddam A, Galla C, Thummisetti S, Marikanty RK, Palanisamy UD, Rao PV. Role of Fenugreek in the prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus in prediabetes. J Diabetes Metab Disord. 2015 Oct 2;14:74. doi: 10.1186/s40200-015-0208-4. eCollection 2015. PubMed PMID: 26436069; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4591578.
4. Sharma RD, Raghuram TC, Rao NS. Effect of fenugreek seeds on blood glucose and serum lipids in type I diabetes. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1990 Apr;44(4):301-6. PubMed PMID: 2194788.
5. Kassaian N, Azadbakht L, Forghani B, Amini M. Effect of fenugreek seeds on blood glucose and lipid profiles in type 2 diabetic patients. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2009 Jan;79(1):34-9. doi: 10.1024/0300-9831.79.1.34. PubMed PMID: 19839001.

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