Type 2 diabetes is a common condition causes the level of sugar, or glucose, in the blood to become too high.
This is because the pancreas doesn't make any insulin, not enough insulin, or what it does make doesn't work properly. The primary role of insulin is to regulate blood sugar levels and without this mechanism, they could rise to dangerous levels.
Although some people with diabetes need to use insulin as a treatment, there are other ways to help moderate blood sugar levels, for example through diet.
For example, fruit is a healthy way of getting energy, while also keeping blood sugar levels healthy. In particular, figs have been shown to be perfect for this.
Figs are a unique fruit resembling a teardrop popular among being a breakfast treat or a delight on a cheeseboard. They are about the size of your thumb and are filled with hundreds of tiny seeds which have an edible purple or green peel.
They are also packed with a natural hormone known as abscisic acid which is responsible for managing the body’s sugar (glucose) response and reducing inflammation.
Lower blood sugar
One study which was published in the journal Diabetes, investigated how figs can help with targeting blood sugar.
In the study, researchers looked at participants who consumed 50 grams of a glucose solution dissolved in water and fig extract also dissolved in water.
Researchers found that by consuming fig extract before a meal of around 100 to 200 mg blood sugar levels were able to drop within 30 to 120 minutes.
It concluded that figs were “effective for managing blood sugar overall.”
Insulin sensitivity
Another study conducted on rodents looked at how ficusin, an extract derived from fig leaves, helped help with insulin sensitivity.
Alongside lowering blood sugars, researchers also noted the extract proved to be effective at helping normalise fatty acid and vitamin E levels.
Numerous research further bolsters the power of moderate fruit intake to provide adequate energy and helping to maintain a healthy weight.
“This is different to the free sugar in drinks, chocolate cakes, and biscuits, as well as in fruit juices and honey,” explains Diabetes UK.
The health site added: “A portion of fruit, such as a medium apple, generally contains about 15 to 20 grams of carbohydrates.
“It is better to reduce your intake of chocolate, sugary drinks, cakes and other snacks than whole fruit when trying to restrict your carb intake, to help manage your blood glucose levels.”
Eating more freshly prepared fruits and vegetables does not have to be boring and is one of the best ways to manage type 2 diabetes, experts state.
Alongside diet, other lifestyle changes can prevent the onset of diabetes or help treat the condition.,Exercise is key, but so is drinking enough water.
Drinking water helps pump up the blood volume and therefore lowers the concentration of glucose in the bloodstream, helping to lower blood sugar values.
By regularly drinking water, blood sugar levels can remain in normal and healthy range.
