Diabetes is a disorder related to impaired metabolism of glucose, or blood sugar. In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce insulin, a hormone that stores glucose inside cells. This results in elevated glucose levels in the blood that can be life-threatening. The most common type of diabetes is Type 2 diabetes, a condition in which the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the cells cannot fully utilize insulin. This also results in high blood sugar levels. Diabetes can lead to serious health consequences such as kidney failure, obesity and cardiovascular disease. Certain supplements are effective in controlling blood glucose levels and reducing the risk of diabetes. Consult with your health care provider before taking any supplements.
Cinnamon Extract
Cinnamon's high antioxidant content might be beneficial for improving glucose levels and reducing diabetes risk. Researchers examined the effects of cinnamon extract on overweight and obese participants with impaired blood glucose levels, a condition classified as prediabetes. Participants received a cinnamon extract or a placebo for 12 weeks. At the end of the study, scientists observed that the cinnamon extract group experienced decreases in fasting glucose levels compared to the placebo group, according to findings reported in the June 2009 issue of the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition."
Blueberry Extract
Researchers from the University of Michigan fed rats either a low- or high-fat diet with or without blueberry-enriched powder for 90 days. At the end of the study, rats receiving blueberry-enriched powder improved their fasting glucose levels and insulin sensitivity, or glucose uptake by cells, compared to the control group. Blueberries are a rich source of potent antioxidants, including anthocyanins, which enhance glucose uptake and are responsible for the results of the study, according to researchers.
Caffeine Anhydrous
Caffeine not only provides energy and alertness but also might reduce the risk for diabetes. Researchers who investigated the relationship between coffee consumption and diabetes risk in mice discovered that coffee improves glucose control by inhibiting high blood sugar levels and increasing insulin sensitivity compared to water. The anti-diabetic effects of coffee are mostly due to the compound caffeine, according to the April 2010 issue of the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry."
References
- "Journal of the American College of Nutrition"; Antioxidant Effects of a Cinnamon Extract in People With Impaired Fasting Glucose That Are Overweight or Obese; Anne-Marie Roussel, Ph.D., et al.; 2009
- ScienceDaily: Blueberries May Help Reduce Belly Fat, Diabetes Risk
- "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry"; Coffee and Caffeine Ameliorate Hyperglycemia, Fatty Liver and Inflammatory Adipocytokine Expression in Spontaneously Diabetic KK-Ay Mice; Rie Yamauchi et al.; April 2010
