If you are a type 2 diabetes patient, and you haven’t had the time to look into other foods from other countries that could help lower your blood sugar levels, then now is the time to do so. One food that you must look into is the adzuki bean.

Meet the Adzuki Bean

Adzuki beans are small beans that are grown in many parts of East Asia. It is also called as “azuki or aduki.” There are many colors of adzuki beans, but the most popular one is the red adzuki.

These beans have been a favorite of many Asians due to the health benefits that they offer. They are fantastic at aiding those who are trying to lose weight. They also help lower blood sugar levels and also help in improving digestion.

adzuki beans to lower blood sugar
adzuki beans to lower blood sugar wuzefe - Pixabay

Adzuki and Type 2 Diabetes

The adzuki bean is rich in fiber. This helps improve your insulin sensitivity. It also helps in reducing blood sugar spikes after eating a meal. These beans also contain a chockfull of antioxidants. A number of health experts believe that these beans have anti-inflammatory properties.

Both the fiber and the antioxidants that adzuki contains block sugar absorption in the gut. When this happens, it greatly contributes to better blood sugar levels. Thus, the risk of type 2 diabetes is likewise decreased.

As per scientific studies, such as that with the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, legumes, where adzuki beans belong, as well as lentils and chickpeas, have a low glycemic index. This is why these foods were recommended as part of the national diabetes mellitus guidelines.

The conclusion of the study was that incorporating legumes, like the adzuki beans, into the diet, or as one of the foods in a low-GI diet, could greatly improve blood sugar levels. It was also established that it helps in reducing type 2 diabetes risk.

Other Ways to Fight Diabetes

Aside from eating adzuki beans, you could also incorporate lifestyle changes to better help you in reducing your risk of type 2 diabetes. Try to exercise regularly. Numerous studies have shown that regular exercise helps in reducing blood sugar levels. Aim to have a healthy weight. Doing so is as effective as having medication to control blood sugar.

Make meaningful diet changes, as well. Try to eat fewer carbs. Carbohydrate-rich foods are almost always the culprit behind a spike in blood sugar levels. Keeping this in mind can greatly help lower your blood sugar levels.