People with type -1 and type 2 diabetes have to spend much of their energy and time focusing on their blood sugar levels. Spikes in blood sugar can lead to serious health problems, such as coma or blindness. Insulin injections are mandatory for diabetics to lead a healthy lifestyle. But if you are a person with diabetes, you can use natural resources such as red onion. Did you know about its benefits to regulate blood sugar?
If you are an insulin-dependent person you may be aware that, over time, it can easily lead to insulin intolerance and make insulin injections less effective over time.
Rather than increasing the amount of insulin they inject; it is an excellent idea for diabetics to focus on modifying their diets to help regulate their blood sugar levels.
One of the best blood sugars regulating foods to include in your diet is red onions. Read on to see what makes red onions so good for regulating your blood sugar levels.
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Why the red onion is good for regulating blood sugar levels?
Red onions offer a wide variety of general health benefits, as they comprehensively improve your blood sugar levels.
Low glycemic index.
Red onions have a low glycemic index of 10. This means that they affect your blood sugar level very slowly. Foods rank on the glycemic index between 0-100, with 0 being the best for glycemic health.
The lower the number, the slower the glycemic index of the effects of food. Low glycemic foods require less insulin, which helps your body regulate blood sugar levels. It also makes your body store less fat.
Red onion contains chromium.
Red onions are a fantastic source of chromium, a trace mineral that has the ability to control glucose levels. This makes it a great mineral for people intolerant to insulin. Not including foods rich in chromium in your diet can lead to insulin resistance and a subsequent result in blood sugar control and a worsening of diabetes symptoms.
12 carbs in a single red onion.
A raw whole onion has about 40 calories, most of which come from carbohydrates. There are about 9 grams of carbohydrates in a whole onion, which is equivalent to three teaspoons of sugar. However, the carbohydrates in onions come with dietary fiber, so the effect on your blood sugar will be slower than if you only ate three teaspoons of sugar.
Contains quercetin.
Certain compounds present in onions such as sulfur and quercetin lower blood sugar levels. Quercetin interacts with cells in the small intestine, pancreas, and liver to control blood sugar levels throughout the body.