Turmeric is so much more than a yummy spice used to season chicken or rice. Although it does this well and tastes great, it is also a powerful ingredient that helps lower blood sugar, insulin resistance, and manages glucose levels. Due to these incredible abilities, turmeric is an effective natural supplement for those who have diabetes. Many individuals have found organic loose leaf tea containing turmeric to be an effective herbal remedy to manage diabetes and other health conditions.
Turmeric tea is not a new discovery; in fact, cultures around the world have used turmeric tea for quite some time. In India, turmeric has been used as a spice and for medicinal purposes for centuries, and Ancient Chinese Medicine has been using turmeric tea since 700 AD. Today, turmeric is one of the most popular herbal supplements due to its long list of health benefits.
Medicinal properties of turmeric
Turmeric is a tall plant grown in Central America and Asia. Also referred to as golden spice, turmeric is often used as a spice in tea, extracts, or capsules. To turn this plant into tea, the turmeric roots are boiled and then left in the sun to dry. These dried roots are then polished and ground to be used in loose lea tea.
The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. It has unique properties that significantly benefits your health. When you add turmeric to meals as a spice, there isn’t enough curcumin to receive the health benefits. In order to receive the benefits of curcumin (turmeric), it must be more potent and taken as a supplement or in tea.
Benefits of turmeric for those with Diabetes
Research has shown that turmeric is an incredible natural supplement that positively affects our mind and body. It’s one of the most effective supplements available to us, specifically for those with diabetes. Turmeric tea is excellent for those with diabetes because of the specific effects on our weight and blood sugar. Here are 5 benefits of turmeric for those with diabetes.
- Turmeric can lower blood sugar and insulin resistance
Studies have found that turmeric may help prevent and treat diabetes by decreasing blood sugar and increasing plasma insulin. Turmeric is able to regulate blood sugar by lowering glucose production in your liver. With diabetes, the pancreas does not create enough insulin, which results in high blood glucose levels that can cause pancreatic damage. Turmeric is able to lower insulin resistance by improving pancreatic function and increasing insulin production. With higher insulin levels, these elevated blood glucose levels are reduced.
2.Turmeric lowers inflammation
Curcumin blocks NF-kB, a molecule that turns on inflammation related genes. As a result,
it lowers the inflammation that contributes to diabetes and prevents insulin resistance, high blood sugar, and hyperlipidemia.
- Turmeric lowers the risk of heart disease
High glucose levels are a risk factor for heart disease, and those with diabetes can suffer from endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial dysfunction can result in heart disease as it enables the endothelium’s ability to regulate blood pressure and blood clotting. Turmeric improves endothelium function and may reverse the damage that leads up to heart disease. Further, as we see in benefits 2 and 5, turmeric also lowers inflammation and fights oxidation, which contributes to heart disease.
- Turmeric helps with weight loss
Recent studies have found that turmeric supplements can help with weight loss as it prevents fat deposits from forming in the blood vessels and organs. Through weight loss, turmeric can prevent diabetes triggered by obesity.
- Turmeric increases antioxidants and fights oxidative damage
Free radicals, reactive molecules, and unpaired electrons cause oxidative damage that can damage vital organs, including the liver. Antioxidants are essential to our health as they protect our body from damaging free radicals. The structure of curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, is able to neutralize these free radicals as well as increase the activity of your body’s natural antioxidants.
Although it tastes great, adds color, and has some benefits, adding a pinch of turmeric to your dinner isn’t enough to receive the 5 benefits listed above. Research has shown us that more potent sources are needed. In order to achieve the incredible benefits listed above, you should take turmeric as a supplement. Organic loose leaf teas are a great way to enjoy the benefits of many medicinal herbs, and turmeric is no exception. Combining turmeric with other organic herbal ingredients, like ginger and ashwagandha root, increases the benefits received. If you are looking for a turmeric tea, you want to ensure you are getting top quality, organic ingredients with no artificial fillers. A wellness tea that will benefit those with diabetes, you should not contain any additives or artificial colors and should be made locally, and most importantly, contain turmeric!
Turmeric is very safe, and the majority of users do not experience any side-effects from taking it. If you were taking large doses of turmeric in addition to diabetes medication, it would be wise to speak with your health care provider first. Turmeric tea and herbal teas containing turmeric have been used and ingested for centuries. Today, it is widely used to treat inflammation and diabetes. Turmeric and organic loose leaf tea containing turmeric is an enjoyable and effective way to help manage or prevent diabetes.