Diabetes herb: Diagnoses of diabetes have doubled in the past 15 years, with one in 10 adults over the age of 40 believed to have the condition in the UK. What’s more, obesity rates are growing at exponential rates, which researchers predict will fuel a significant surge in diabetes caseloads. While the risk factors for diabetes are numerous, there is no question that dietary choices play a significant part in the condition. Some studies have found that herbs, in particular basil, could have strong protective effects against the condition.
While the chances of reversing diabetes are slim, some health experts suggest that the possibility exists.
Basil leaves, which originate from India and are commonly found in Southeast Asia, may significantly aid in lowering blood glucose.
A study, published in the Macedonian Journal of Medical Scientists, investigated the effect of Basil on diabetic rats using an extract of the herb.
The rodent’s blood glucose was measured before and after induction of the extract, at week one and week four.
Basil could reduce blood sugar levels by a quarter (Image: Getty )
Findings revealed that basil had a significant lowering effect on blood glucose levels.
The researchers noted: “Extract ethanol of basil leaves showed good results in lowering blood glucose and advanced glycation end products in diabetic rats.”
These findings were echoed in another study on rodents, who were also administered basil extracts of holy basil.
At the end of the 30 days of the study, researchers saw a 26.4 percent decrease in blood sugar levels.
Basil has been shown to target metabolic stress too, which might aid with weight loss and cholesterol levels.
Other studies have pointed out that the herb could improve pancreatic beta-cell function and insulin secretion – and further increase the uptake of glucose by muscle cells.
One, in particular, showed that the herb significantly improved spikes in blood glucose levels after eating.
The researchers noted that the leaves appeared to have hypoglycaemic properties, which have been shown to lower blood sugar levels and help prevent complications of diabetes.
Diabetes: Rates of the condition are expected to grow exponentially in coming years (Image: Getty )
This could be key for treating the long-term effects of high blood sugar.
A study published in the Journal of Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that holy basil showed benefits for reducing blood sugar.
The study including a group of 90 men, who were all diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the outset of the analysis.
The results yielded from both the animal and human studies could hold particular relevance for individuals with pre-diabetes, which refers to abnormally high blood sugar levels which are not yet high enough to qualify as type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes: The main symptoms of the condition to look for (Image: EXPRESS.CO.UK)
Type 2 diabetes describes what happens when the secretion of insulin in the body is obstructed.
Many of the acute effects of the condition stem from nerve damage, which can hike the risk for cardiovascular disease.
Chanelle Coreona, head of type 2 prevention at Diabetes UK, said: “There are 3.7 million people currently diagnosed, and this figure is set to grow.
“We estimated that there are almost 1 million more people undiagnosed.”
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Post source Daily Express
