Can I eat garlic with diabetes?

Garlic is a plant that is used in many countries as a seasoning. It has a tart pungent taste and a specific smell. Garlic has been used as food for many centuries. There are many superstitions associated with this plant. It is believed that garlic has a lot of useful properties. Is it possible to eat it for people with diabetes.

General information

Garlic is a member of the Onion genus of the Onion subfamily. The mountains of Central Asia, mainly Turkmenistan, are considered his homeland. The first country to start garlic cultivation was India. Curiously, this plant was not used for food. The goals of growing it to this day are not clear.

About 5000 BC, garlic was widely distributed in many countries of the Ancient World. It is known that in Egypt, garlic was eaten by workers who built the pyramids. It was believed that the plant gives them strength. Once on one of the construction sites there was a riot due to the fact that the workers did not receive their portion of garlic. In addition, the plant was used for ritual purposes in the burial of some pharaohs. More than 20 types of drugs of the time were made using garlic.

Now garlic is used as a seasoning in almost all countries. It is a traditional component of many Asian and North African dishes. In Japan, garlic, cooked in a special way, is used as an independent sweet dish. A large number of traditional medicine recipes are associated with this plant.

The properties of garlic

Garlic contains a large amount of amino acids and essential oils. The latter determine its specific taste and smell. Allicin, a specific oil found in garlic, is a powerful antioxidant. Its properties have attracted the attention of scientists, since there are no substances that could be compared with it in antioxidant capabilities.

Garlic is a record holder for ascorbic acid, which also has antioxidant properties. In addition, this plant contains a lot of B vitamins, especially pyridoxine. There are more trace elements in garlic than vitamins. He is a champion in the content of calcium and phosphorus. In addition, garlic contains a lot of potassium and magnesium. All these substances determine its beneficial properties:

1. Antiseptic. Garlic is detrimental to bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and protozoa. For many millennia, it has been used as an antiseptic and anthelmintic. These qualities are determined by the presence of allicin and other volatile.
2. Anti-inflammatory. The biologically active substances contained in garlic act like acetylsalicylic acid. They reduce inflammatory reactions in the body and help lower body temperature during fever.
3. Maintaining cardiac activity. In order for the heart to work rhythmically, it needs two trace elements: potassium and magnesium. Garlic contains a large number of them, which reduces the risk of arrhythmias in people who use this plant.
4. Lowering blood pressure. Garlic has a vasodilating effect, which helps to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of developing hypertension.
5. Enhanced motility and secretion of the gastrointestinal tract. Garlic irritates the walls of the digestive canal, which initially enhances secretion in all parts of the tract, and then intestinal motility.
6. Normalization of fat metabolism. This plant helps to reduce cholesterol and low density lipoproteins, which reduces the risk of developing atherosclerosis. In addition, garlic prevents the development of obesity.

Diabetes Garlic

In diabetes, the functioning of the pancreas is impaired, and therefore the amount of insulin decreases. Garlic stimulates the pancreas, which increases the secretion of insulin. In this regard, garlic in diabetes can be considered a therapeutic product.

Garlic should not be consumed by people suffering from peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, as well as hyperacid gastritis. In addition, its use is not recommended for people prone to diarrhea or suffering from different types of pancreatitis.

It can be concluded that garlic has many useful properties that can reduce the manifestations of diabetes. The use of garlic is useful for patients with diabetes, but only in moderation and provided that there are no contraindications. Among these contraindications are diseases of the digestive tract and digestive glands.

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