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Monday 28 February 2022
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High blood sugar levels can be dangerous in some cases. Fortunately, there are some foods that can help you control levels, and those that should be avoided in your diet.
High blood sugar can be dangerous if levels become too high or remain high for long periods. The glycemic index (GI) is a rating system for foods that contain carbohydrates. It shows how quickly each food affects the level of blood sugar (glucose) when eating that food alone, according to Russia Today.
Some foods are known to be low on the glycemic index, such as foods made with whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans and lentils.
However, “using the glycemic index to determine whether foods or groups of foods are healthy, can be misleading,” says the NHS.
“The dietary advice generally given to people with type 1 diabetes is not very different from dietary advice for people without diabetes,” the Diabetes website says.
“The main issues to consider are how likely different foods can severely affect your blood glucose levels,” he adds.
In fact, there are some foods and spices that can affect blood sugar levels, such as black pepper.
In one study of 86 overweight people who took black pepper supplements, they had significant improvements in insulin sensitivity during the eight weeks in which they participated in the study.
In another study, rats were given black pepper extract for consumption. The researchers found that mice had a lower rise in blood sugar levels following ingesting glucose compared to mice in the control group.
There are a number of other foods that can help control blood sugar levels, as well as foods to reduce or limit in your diet.
The NHS says that symptoms of hyperglycaemia in people with diabetes tend to develop slowly over a few days or weeks, although “in some cases, there may be no symptoms until the blood sugar level has risen significantly”.
The Mayo Clinic explains that understanding potential diabetes symptoms can lead to early diagnosis and treatment, which can help you prevent diabetes complications and lead to a healthier life.
He adds that excessive thirst and increased urination are common signs and symptoms of diabetes.
“When you have diabetes, excess glucose – a type of sugar – builds up in your blood,” she says. “Your kidneys have to work overtime to filter and absorb the extra glucose.”