DO YOU KNOW THAT GINGER CAN CONTROL DIABETES~

Ginger a common spice in most  kitchens can take care of  high levels of blood sugar which create complications for long-term diabetic patients, a new study has claimed.

"Ginger extracts obtained from Buderim Ginger were able to increase the uptake of glucose into muscle cells independently of insulin, "Professor of pharmaceutical chemistry Basil Roufogalis who led the research said in a statement.

Ginger is the thick knotted underground stem (rhizome) of the plant Zingiber officinale that has been used for centuries in Asian cuisine and medicine.

Native to Africa, India, China, Australia and Jamaica, it is commonly used as a spice or flavouring agent in cooking, as an alternative ‘herbal’ treatment for various ailments such as nausea and indigestion, and for fragrance in soaps and cosmetics.

Ginger rhizome can be used fresh, dried and powdered, or as a juice or oil. It has a pungent and sharp aroma and adds a strong spicy flavour to food and drink.

                        Effect on diabetes

Glycemic control

A study published in the August 2012 edition of the natural product journal Planta Medica suggested that ginger may improve long-term blood sugar control for people with type 2 diabetes.

Researchers from the University of Sydney, Australia, found that extracts from Buderim Ginger (Australian grown ginger) rich in gingerols - the major active component of ginger rhizome - can increase uptake of glucose into muscle cells without using insulin, and may therefore assist in the management of high blood sugar levels.  

Insulin secretion

In the December 2009 issue of the European Journal of Pharmacology, researchers reported that two different ginger extracts, spissum and an oily extract, interact with serotonin receptors to reveres their effect on insulin secretion.

Treatment with the extracts led to a 35 per cent drop in blood glucose levels and a 10 per cent increase in plasma insulin levels.

Cataract protection

A study published in the August 2010 edition of Molecular Vision revealed that a small daily dose of ginger helped delay the onset and progression of cataracts - one of the sight-related complications of long-term diabetes - in diabetic rats.

It’s also worth noting that ginger has a very low glycemic index (GI). Low GI foods break down slowly to form glucose and therefore do not trigger a spike in blood sugar levels as high GI foods do.

Other health benefits

Ginger has been used as an herbal therapy in Chinese, Indian, and Arabic medicine for centuries to aid digestion, combat the common cold and relieve pain.

Its powerful anti-inflammatory substances, gingerols, make it an effective pain reliever and it is commonly used to reduce pain and swelling in patients with arthritis and those suffering from other inflammation and muscle complaints.

In fact, ginger is said to be just as effective as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but without the gastrointestinal side effects.

                                Other medical uses of ginger include treatment of:

Bronchitis

Heartburn

Menstrual pain

Nausea and vomiting

Upset stomach

Diarrhoea

Upper respiratory tract infections (URTI)
Cure for nausea
Helps with bronchitis
Reduces dizziness
Helps with morning sickness
Cure for diarrhea
Preventing osteoarthtritis
Helps with gas
Cure for cough
Prevents cold
Helps with upset stomach
Cure for baldness
Prevents colon cancer
Treating malaria
Juice can heal burns and relieve pain
Fresh helps with snake bites
Cure for rheumatism
Stimulates an appetite
Helps with headache and migraine

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Source: Natural health remedies , Diabetes .UK 
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