Consumers’ focus has shifted tremendous from drugs to foods when it comes to finding ways to tame fearful diseases. “Food Cures” is the term so-called health experts are using to convince people of the “medicinal” quality of foods. Some people might say that to deem foods as “curative” is exaggerating while others swear by the wonders of clean eating. Whichever the case is, advanced research has proven time and again that diet plays a powerful role in a healthy life.
Spices and herbs are without a doubt a household staple when it comes to enhancing the flavor of dishes. Just a tiny amount can score you some extra points. In addition to the punch they provide, researchers are exploring their health benefits, particularly in diabetes. Packed with diabetes-fighting compounds called polyphenols, spices and herbs are slowly emerging as potential therapeutic means to treat diabetes.
But how strong is the evidence?
The Study
Spices and herbs have shown to exert these following properties:
Hypoglycemic
Antioxidant
Enhance insulin action and sensitivity
Anti-glycation
A recent review by a group of Singaporean researchers highlights popular spices and herbs used for diabetes management. They include cinnamon, ginger and turmeric, cumin, coriander, anise, fenugreek, garlic, onion, cloves, mustards, black pepper, and curry leaves. This list of spices and herbs are believed to be helpful for people with diabetes thanks to their wide range of properties.
Sounds awesome, right?
The Problem
Unfortunately, most of the available data is based on laboratory and animals studies. Moreover, the spices and herbs are often used as a supplement or given in high-dosage, likely exceeding typical human consumption.
Other issues that need to be addressed include:
- Bioavailability: How much is absorbed and is used by the body?
- Amount in cooking: Small amounts of spices and herbs are usually used in cooking. How much do we need to eat to reap the health benefits?
- Effectiveness: Compared to anti-diabetic drugs, how effective are they in controlling blood sugar and diabetes complications?
Moral of the story: Fascinating venture in nutrition… but insufficient evidence to put it into practice for the time being.