Introduction: Diabetes, a common chronic disease in modern society, is like an invisible black hand, quietly eroding people's health.
It not only raises blood sugar, but also silently gives birth to various serious complications, such as kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, etc., like an invisible net, restricting the quality of life and physical health of patients.
On the road to the prevention and treatment of diabetes, dietary control has been given a pivotal position. A light diet and avoiding too much greasy and spicy food have become the dietary guidelines for diabetics.
In this context, garlic, a common condiment, has aroused doubts because of its spicy characteristics.
Some people believe that garlic raises blood sugar and increases the risk of vascular disease, which makes people wonder, is there any scientific basis for such a claim?
01
How high is blood sugar ≠ diabetes?
Excessive blood sugar is not the same as diabetes, this is a fact that needs to be clear to us, although high blood sugar is a major sign of diabetes, but only when certain conditions are met can we diagnose a person with diabetes.
So, how high is blood sugar to be considered diabetes? This needs to be judged according to the specific blood sugar value and measurement time. In general, the diagnosis of diabetes is based on fasting blood glucose and blood glucose values two hours after a meal.
For fasting blood glucose, a normal person's blood sugar level should be between 3.9-6.1 mmol/L. If the fasting blood glucose level exceeds 7.0 mmol/L, then the diagnosis of diabetes can be considered. However, this is only a one-time result, and we need to take multiple measurements at different time points to confirm that blood glucose levels are consistently exceeded.
For two-hour postprandial blood glucose, a normal person's blood sugar level should be below 7.8mmol/L. If the blood glucose level exceeds 11.1 mmol/L two hours after a meal, then the diagnosis of diabetes should also be considered. Again, this also requires multiple measurements to confirm.
It should be noted that the above are only the general diagnostic criteria for diabetes, and the specific diagnosis needs to be combined with the patient's symptoms, signs and other examination results to make a comprehensive judgment.
In addition, the diagnosis of diabetes does not only depend on the blood glucose level, but also includes a number of tests such as glucose tolerance test and insulin secretion test.
02
When blood sugar rises, what does the body usually do?
Polyuria
High blood sugar causes sugar in the urine to increase, which in turn increases the osmotic pressure in the urine. To balance the osmotic pressure in the body, the body tries to remove excess sugar by urinating. As a result, people with high blood sugar may find themselves urinating more often than usual.
thirst
As a result of polyuria, the body's water loss also increases, leading to a feeling of thirst. This is when the body is trying to balance the water and salt levels in the body by increasing water intake.
Hunger
When you have high blood sugar, you feel hungry because your body can't use glucose efficiently, even though you've consumed enough food. This is because high blood sugar can lead to insulin resistance, which prevents cells from making full use of glucose as an energy source.
Weight lowering
Despite the increased appetite, there may be a loss of weight due to the body's inability to use glucose efficiently. In addition, polyuria and thirst can also lead to the loss of water and electrolytes, further leading to weight loss.
Fatigue and weakness
Because the body can't fully utilize glucose as an energy source, people with high blood sugar may experience fatigue and weakness. This can affect daily life and work.
Blurred vision
High blood sugar may affect the lens of the eye, causing blurred vision. This is because high blood sugar can affect vision by altering the shape and refractive index of the lens.
03
Is garlic the "hair" of diabetes?
Garlic, a common ingredient in our daily cooking, has recently been hailed by some as the "hair animal" of diabetes. So, can garlic really help diabetics manage their condition?
What we need to be clear about is that garlic is not a direct treatment for diabetes, and it does not directly lower blood sugar. However, the rich nutrients and bioactive components contained in garlic, such as sulfide, allicin, etc., do have certain health benefits.
These ingredients can exert a variety of biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial in the human body, and have certain benefits for the health of diabetic patients.
For diabetic patients, in addition to medication, dietary control is also very important. Garlic is a nutritious ingredient that can be used as part of the diet of diabetics. During the cooking process, the proper addition of garlic can enhance the flavor of the dish, increase appetite, and help patients better control their diet.
However, we also need to note that garlic is not suitable for everyone. For some people, consuming garlic may cause gastrointestinal upset, allergic reactions, and other issues.
Therefore, diabetics should consult their doctor or dietitian for advice before consuming garlic to ensure that their physical condition is suitable for garlic consumption.
In addition, we need to be clear that garlic is not a substitute for medication. For diabetic patients, the key to controlling the condition is to seek medical attention regularly, take medication on time, strictly control diet, and maintain a moderate amount of exercise. Only on the basis of these measures can garlic be consumed properly to exert its health benefits.
04
Doctor: Avoid elevated blood sugar and try to eat as few of the 4 foods as possible
Salted fish
Diabetics should eat less salted fish, mainly because salted fish contains high levels of salt and nitrite, which have adverse effects on the health of diabetics.
A high-salt diet can easily lead to water and sodium retention, increase blood volume, and then increase blood pressure, for diabetic patients, high blood pressure is one of the common complications, so controlling salt intake is essential to prevent and control high blood pressure. As a high-salt food, salted fish has naturally become one of the foods that diabetics need to eat with caution.
In addition to this, nitrite is another ingredient to watch out for in salted fish. Nitrite may be converted to nitrosamines, a strong chemical carcinogen, in an acidic environment in the stomach that may increase the risk of cancer. Diabetic patients have low immunity and relatively weak resistance to carcinogens, so reducing nitrite intake is also important to prevent cancer.
Fried foods
Fried foods tend to be high in calories and fat, especially saturated fats and trans fats, which can easily lead to weight gain and elevated blood lipids. For people with diabetes, weight and blood lipid control is an important aspect of disease control.
Secondly, fried foods may produce some harmful substances during cooking, such as acrylamide, which are harmful to human health, and long-term intake may increase the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer.
For diabetics, their bodies are more susceptible to these harmful substances because they already have metabolic problems.
coffee
Diabetics should eat less coffee because the caffeine and other components in coffee can have adverse effects on blood sugar levels. Although coffee itself does not contain sugar, it may affect the body's response to insulin, causing blood sugar to rise.
Caffeine is a stimulant that stimulates the central nervous system and raises heart rate and blood pressure, and this stimulating effect may cause the body to release more stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, which raise blood sugar levels.
In addition, caffeine may also reduce the body's sensitivity to insulin, which means that the body needs more insulin to lower blood sugar levels.
cooked rice
Diabetics should eat less rice mainly because rice is high in carbohydrates, which are one of the main foods that diabetics need to restrict.
When we consume carbohydrates, they are converted by the body into glucose, which is our body's main source of energy.
However, for people with diabetes, their bodies are unable to use glucose efficiently, resulting in an increase in blood sugar levels. Long-term high blood sugar can cause damage to various organs in the body, including the heart, eyes, kidneys, and nervous system.
05
These 3 sweet foods can be eaten by diabetics, and eating them right can also help you control your blood sugar!
pomegranate
Pomegranate is also a sweet fruit that is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which help lower blood sugar and insulin levels.
Studies have shown that pomegranate juice can significantly improve blood sugar control and insulin resistance, making it a good choice for people with diabetes.
dark chocolate
Although dark chocolate is higher in sugar, it also contains many beneficial ingredients, such as flavonoids and cocoa butter. These ingredients can improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels. However, it is important to note that dark chocolate is still high in sugar, so it should be consumed in moderation.
Stevia
The leaves of this plant are so sweet that they are even sweeter than sucrose. However, it does not contain sugar, which raises blood sugar, but instead helps lower blood sugar.
Stevia contains low calories and does not participate in the body's metabolism after entering the body, so for people with high blood sugar, adding one or two stevia leaves to tea and soup can not only make the food taste sweet, but also help lower blood sugar and lose weight.
06
Read more: How long can you live with diabetes?
Life expectancy after diabetes depends on a variety of factors, such as the severity of the condition, how well it is controlled, the appearance of complications, etc. Generally speaking, if diabetes can be diagnosed and controlled in time, the life expectancy of a patient can be comparable to that of a normal person.
Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disease characterized by elevated blood sugar levels. Although diabetes itself does not directly cause death, it can increase the risk of other serious diseases such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney disease, retinopathy, etc. These complications may have an impact on the patient's lifespan.
Therefore, it is important for diabetic patients to control their blood sugar levels well to avoid complications. This includes monitoring blood sugar regularly, following your doctor's advice for treatment, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, etc.