Onion
Onions have been used as a treatment for diabetes since ancient times. Research studies conducted in Modern times have proved that this pungent vegetable can lower blood sugar in diabetes. In recent investigation in India, Research scientist fed subjects onion juice and whole onions in doses of 25 to 200 grams and found that the greater the dose, the more the blood sugar decrease. It makes no difference whether the onion was eaten in raw or cooked form.
The investigators found that the onions affect the liver’s metabolism of glucose, or release of insulin, or prevent insulin’s destruction. The probable active hypoglycemic substances in onions are allyl proply disulphide and allicin. In fact, as early as 1923, researchers had detected blood-sugar-lowering property in onion. And in the 1960s, scientist isolated anti-diabetic compounds from onions, which are similar to the common antidiabetic pharmaceuticals that are used to stimulate insulin synthesis and release.
Potassium-Rich Foods
Foods high in potassium are valuable in diabetes as potassium intake invigorates pancreas. Potassium supple-ments are, however, not beneficial as they may cause ulcer. Diabetics can therefore take foods rich in potassium like raw peanuts, melons, dried peas, potatoes, skimmed milk powder and wheat. Potassium can heal and revitalise the cells of the pancreas, without interference from other food elements.
Sweet Potatoes Leaves
The sweet potato is one of the most nutritious vegetables. It is cultivated all over India for its starchy, pinkish, spindle-like tubers. It is an important source of nutrition in many countries. The leaves of the plant do not have any specific taste and are slightly bitter.
The leaves of sweet potato plant are an anti-diabetic food. They are considered beneficial in lowering blood sugar in diabetes. About 60 grams of fresh leaves or 30 grams of dry leaves along with 100 grams of fresh skin or 12 grams of dry skin of ash gourd should be cut into small pieces and boiled in water. This decoction should be drunk as tea by diabetics with beneficial results.
Soyabean
The soyabean is one of the most nutritious foods. It belongs to the family of legumes or pulses and is perhaps one of the earliest crops cultivated by man. It is esteemed for its high food value. It is a very valuable source of protein, vitamins, minerals and other food ingredients.
Soyabean is a food of great value in the treatment of diabetes. The Journal of the American Medical Association quotes from an authoritative German medical journal, an article by Doctor Christian Becker. In this article, Dr Becker points out that the soyabean is a very valuable food in case of diabetes because bread made from it contains very little starch, but is rich in fat and protein, both of which are of most excellent quality.
Soyabean has steadily grown in importance from a therapeutic point of view, since Frieden-wald and Ruhrah showed in 1910 it to be valuable in the feeding of diabetics. Its usefulness in diabetes is attributable not only to its richness in protein and its palatability, but also to its ability to cause, in some unexplained way, a reduction in the percentage and the total quantity of urinary sugar in diabetes patients on the usual dietary restrictions.