For living a long and healthy life it is crucial to include more vegetables in your diet, especially when you are suffering from chronic conditions like diabetes.
The edibles greens are packed with the vitamins and minerals that can fend off the symptoms of this chronic condition and easily manage your blood sugar level.
Out of all the different kinds of veggies, there is one particular which has proven to be more effective for people dealing with type 2 diabetes: Broccoli.
Broccoli and diabetes
If you are someone suffering from diabetes then load up with broccoli that is what a study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine suggests. The finding of this study carried out by the researchers found that extracts of broccoli can be quite effective in managing the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes. This is particularly due to the presence of an antioxidant compound called sulforaphane.
The study
For the study, the researchers gave a sulforaphane extract to rats with diabetes in the first phase of the experiment. It was found that sulforaphane reduced the production of glucose in the liver cells, lowering the fasting blood glucose and glycated haemoglobin. Besides, it also cut down excessive glucose production and glucose intolerance by a magnitude similar to that of metformin, which is a prescribed diabetes medication.
In the second phase, the researchers gave the concentrated broccoli extract to 97 participants suffering from Type 2 diabetes for 12 weeks. They later compared the results to participants with diabetes who were prescribed placebo. Even in this experiment, it was observed that sulforaphane extract can help to decrease fasting blood glucose levels. The finding is considered vital because metformin is known to cause stomach related issues and is also not prescribed to those suffering from kidney-related problems.
Nutrient content and health benefits of eating broccoli
Broccoli is one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables. It is packed with the benefits of fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, protein and potassium. A half-cup of cooked broccoli contains only 27 calories and 3 grams of carbs, which makes it a preferred choice for people suffering from diabetes and shedding kilos. The best part is that the green veggie can be enjoyed both raw and cooked. Apart from this, broccoli is also a great good source of two important antioxidants- lutein and zeaxanthin, which may help prevent eye diseases.
The type of veggies diabetes patients must have
All those suffering from diabetes need to be extra careful about the kind of foods they include in their diet and veggies are something one can never go wrong with. Low in calories, rich in fiber and packed with healthy nutrients, they are the best food option for diabetic patients. It is just the starchy vegetables they need to be careful with as they can spike the blood sugar level in no time. Some of the other best vegetables for diabetes patients are:
- Cauliflower
- Capsicum
- Carrot
- Spinach
- Mushroom
- Green beans
- Eggplant
