3 Healing Spices for Diabetes

Hold the salt and pepper. How about adding some real kick to your dishes that have added healing effects? These spices have natural anti-inflammatory benefits, so it’s no wonder they’ve been used medicinally by our ancestors for thousands of years to heal ailments. This post includes my top three spices for diabetes that can easily be added to a variety of soups, meals, or even a cup of tea!

Curcumin

Curcumin is the active component in turmeric. Turmeric is widely used as a natural anti-inflammatory agent because it is so strong and full of antioxidants. Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine have been using turmeric for the treatment of diabetes for centuries now. Due to its inexpensive cost, western medicine is even taking notice.

A small study in Diabetes Care found that taking curcumin capsules may reduce your risk of developing diabetes. In their study, 240 prediabetic adults were either given a placebo or curcumin capsules daily for a nine-month period. The results showed those taking curcumin did not develop diabetes; while 19 of the 116 placebo-taking participants did.

While this is just one study and more research is needed. It’s important to note that inflammation has become widely recognized as a main contributing factor to diabetes. There is real potential according to this medical review that alleviating inflammation may in turn help heal the underlying cause of diabetes.

If you do opt for taking curcumin supplements, they are best to be taken with a meal with some fat as curcumin is fat-soluble. Curcumin is also poorly absorbed by the bloodstream, studies have shown that adding black pepper, which contains piperine will increase the absorption rate by 2000%! whoah! Some curcumin supplements will also contain piperine in the capsule, so you can look out for those! As always consult with your doctor before adding any new supplements to your regimen.

Cloves

Good news if you enjoy cooking and baking with cloves. One study found that just taking one to two cloves a day helped to lower blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides in people with type 2 diabetes. And bonus it was also shown to help improve the functionality of insulin in patients.

Cloves are one of the spices that have been shown to be highest in antioxidants among other spices. Antioxidants help fight free radicals, keep skin looking good, and ward off chronic disease. They are also high in a key mineral, manganese which helps keep our bones strong and brains sharp. So all around they are a great spice to help support your health!

Cloves can be easily added to a variety of soups, stews, meat dishes, teas, or even baked goods!

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is probably my favorite spice and always has been. I certainly go through it faster than any other spice in my cabinet. I often add it to my morning oats along with a bit of stevia and fruit.

Besides loving the taste of cinnamon, the good news is cinnamon has been shown to hold anti-inflammatory properties; which help support overall health. It was also shown to have the highest amount of antioxidants among spices behind cloves. In regards to helping to heal diabetes, studies have shown cinnamon to help lower cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose. Cinamon has also been shown to help to improve the functionality of insulin in those with diabetes.

Spices have been used in many cultures throughout our world for thousands of years due to their medicinal and healing properties. They are easy to add to many foods and a great way to enhance your overall well-being.

I like to think of food as medicine. With a balanced diet and one or all three of these healing spices for diabetes, you will certainly be on the right path to greater health!

You may also like adding curcumin, cloves, or cinnamon to this healing tea; which has been shown to be one of the best teas for diabetes. Allow the spices to steep along with the tea for added taste and benefits.

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Author Biography

Karla Kueber is a Certified Evidence Based EFT Practioner and Health Coach, with a double Masters Degree in Education. She works with people to overcome emotional eating, curb cravings, and overcome resistance to eating new healthy foods. You can learn more about coaching with her here.