Diabetes is a chronic lifelong condition that can be a real burden on daily life.
With obesity rates at a real concerning level, the threat of diabetes is greater than ever throughout the country.
The lifelong condition is characterised by unruly blood sugar and is present in those whose body lacks or fails to respond to insulin- the hormone that allows sugar to be absorbed.
Fortunately, there are a few dietary tweaks that can help managed diabetes.
And one juice in particular can help balance blood sugar levels in as little as 15 minutes, reports the Express.
With a wide range of health benefits and a strong protective effect against diabetes, drinking beetroot can really help fight the burden of the conditions.
The impressive health qualities of beetroot are owed mainly to its rich nitrate content.
These compounds are involved in many important metabolic processes that may act as a buffer against risk factors associated with diabetes.
One meta-analysis, published in the medical journal Metabolites earlier this year, determined the nitrate present in beetroot juice could lower glucose levels in just 15 minutes.
The analysis cites one 2018 study, that looked at 10 healthy volunteers who were administered 270ml beetroot juice. A separate group was given a sugar-matched control of white bread.
The beetroot juice intervention saw “reduced blood glucose levels at 15, 30, 90 and 180 minutes” compared to the control sample.
Researchers said the results showed a reduction in the early phase and peak glucose, as well as a delay in glycemic response.
A separate 2017 study yielded similar results after recipients were administered 300 grams of carbohydrate in a meal with either 250ml of beetroot juice, or 250ml of water.
Results revealed that blood glucose levels at three hours post-meal were significantly lowered in the test condition than in the control group.
The findings add evidence to a line of research supporting the benefits of beetroot for individuals with diabetes.
Beetroot stores nitrate in its roots, as do other plants including rocket and radish celery, which are all abundant in nitrate.
Interestingly, beets harvested in the summer contain lower nitrate concentrations than those harvested in the autumn, as exposure to light may cause a dip in nitrate accumulation.
It is widely believed that nitrate is the key bioactive in beetroot, as it can be broken down into nitric oxide.
This plays a vital role in regulating vascular tone and glucose metabolism.
After ingestion, nitrate will be absorbed through the gut wall and transported to the blood plasma.
Around 60 to 75 percent of this nitrate is lost to excretion within 48 hours of consumption, but the remaining 25 percent will remain concentrated in saliva.
What’s more, the bacteria that live in the mouth will then turn the remaining nitrate into more nitrate.
Once the nitrate is turned into nitric oxide, it increases blood flow to various organs, which may have a viagra-like effect.
Increased blood flow also has a lowering effect on blood pressure.
Food safety guidelines advise against consuming too much beetroot because it may form nitrosamines, which have been linked to gastric cancers.
Diabetes differences
There are two types of diabetes -type one and type two.
Although both versions of the condition have things in common, there are some key differences on causes and treatment in type one compared to type two.
Here are the key differences, according to Diabetes UK.
Type 1
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What is happening? - Your body attacks the cells in your pancreas which means it cannot make any insulin.
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Risk factors - The cause of type 1 diabetes is currently unknown
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Symptoms - The symptoms of type 1 appear more quickly
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Management - Type 1 is managed by taking insulin to control your blood sugar
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Cure and prevention - There is no cure for type 1 currently, but research continues
Type 2
- What is happening - Your body is unable to make enough insulin or the insulin your body makes does not work properly
- Risk factors - Include weight and ethnicity
- Symptoms - They can be easier to miss as they appear slower than in type 1 cases
- Management - You can manage type 2 in more way than type 1. Medication, exercise and diet can help.
- Cure and prevention - There is no cure but in many cases type 2 can be prevented and put into remission with lifestyle changes
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