A healthy life can only be made from some special ingredients like a good diet, a peaceful lifestyle, required exercise and adequate amount of sleep. For people who are suffering from chronic health conditions like diabetes, it is highly important to all include these elements in their life.
Nowadays diabetes patients belong to every age group from infants to elderly people. To control this condition patients need to eat healthy food at regular intervals and in small portions. When it comes to healthy food, vegetables take the primary position, as they are filled with various kinds of vitamins and minerals. Out of all the different kinds of veggies, there is one particular which has proven to be more effective for people dealing with type 2 diabetes and that is Broccoli.
A study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine suggests that eating broccoli in high amounts can help to control diabetics. The research conducted by Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg and the Faculty of Medicine at Lund University in Sweden found that extracts of broccoli can be quite effective in managing the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes. This is particularly due to the presence of an antioxidant compound called sulforaphane.
In the first phase of the study, the researchers gave sulforaphane extract to rats with diabetes and it was found that the antioxidant compound reduced the production of glucose in the liver cells, lowering the fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin. In addition, it also decreased excessive glucose production and glucose intolerance by a magnitude similar to that of metformin, which is a prescribed diabetes medication.
During the second phase, the researchers gave the concentrated broccoli extract to 97 patients suffering from Type 2 diabetes for 12 weeks. They later compared the results to participants with diabetes who were prescribed a placebo and it was observed that sulforaphane extract can help to reduce the fasting blood glucose levels.
The finding from the research is considered vital as the side-effects of metformin are considered to be harsh and it can cause stomach-related issues and it is also not recommended for those suffering from kidney-related problems. About 30 percent of patients who take metformin develop nausea, bloating and abdominal pain.
Nutrient content
Broccoli is one of the most nutritious vegetables and it is packed with the benefits of fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, magnesium, protein and potassium. A half-cup of cooked broccoli contains 27 grams of calories and 3 grams of digestible carbs, along with other important nutrients, which makes it a preferred choice for people suffering from diabetes and those who look for weight loss. Apart from this, broccoli is also a good source of two important antioxidants- lutein and zeaxanthin, which may help prevent eye diseases.
Other veggies for diabetic patients
All those suffering from diabetes need to include enough vegetables in their diet. Food that is low in calories, rich in fiber and packed with healthy nutrients are the best option for diabetic patients and they have to keep their hands away from starchy vegetables as it can spike the blood sugar level in no time. Some of the other best vegetables for diabetes patients are cauliflower, capsicum, carrot, spinach, mushroom, green beans, eggplant.
