These spices were once used as medicine. Today, they’re used to make our food delicious — and research shows they help with diabetes, too.
1. Turmeric
Used in Ayurveda for millennia, turmeric is now known to reduce insulin resistance.
2. Cinnamon
Once used to enhance digestion, cinnamon has been shown to lower blood sugar levels and reduce heart disease risk.
3. Ginger
Traditionally used for its anti-nausea properties, ginger has been shown to help reduce insulin resistance and fasting blood sugar levels.
4. Garlic
Used for thousands of years in China for its antimicrobial properties, garlic is recognized today for its ability to lower blood sugar and cholesterol.
5. Cayenne Pepper
Historically used to improve circulation, cayenne pepper is currently used for pain relief through its capsaicin content — which also helps improve insulin sensitivity.
To get healthier now, consider working these spices into your cooking. For more tips on natural health, download the free eBook Health Secrets at peacediet.org.
About Dr. Terry Shintani, MD, JD, MPH
Dr. Terry Shintani is a Harvard-trained physician and nutritionist, named a Living Treasure of Hawai’i and recipient of the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Award for Excellence. He is the creator of the Peace Diet and the landmark Waianae Diet — published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and cited over 137 times — and the author of 16 books on natural health and nutrition, drawing on more than 35 years of clinical practice in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Learn more about Dr. Shintani’s work and recognition: NLM Native Voices
Sources:
- NIH/PubMed — Curcumin and Insulin Resistance: A Review
- NIH/PubMed — Cinnamon Supplementation and Glycemic Control: Meta-Analysis
- NIH/PubMed — Capsaicin and Insulin Sensitivity