Vegetable juice before meal can fight diabetes

Hyderabad: Our eating practice, at least in South India, has always been to consume vegetables along with rice. However, new research shows that consuming vegetables or vegetable juices before a carbohydrate-filled meal can help diabetics by slowing down carbohydrate digestion and reduce glucose intake.

Scientists from Indian Institute of Chemical Technology say that drinking juices of certain vegetables can substantially decrease chance of hyperglycaemia, commonly called blood sugar. Patients of hyperglycaemia and diabetes often refrain from eating high-carbohydrate food to keep blood sugar in check. However, juices of certain vegetables like ridge gourd, bottle gourd, ash gourd, chayote, radish, Indian dill and bladder dock have been identified to keep glucose and sugar levels in check.

Dr A.K. Tiwari, principal scientist, IICT, said, “When taken along with a  carbohydrate-rich meal, there is overloading of food for the metabolism. But when you take these before the meal, carbohydrate digestion can be slowed and chances of diet-induced high blood sugar can be controlled.”

Scientists say that this can also check insulin resistance and hence control diabetes. They have claimed that ivy gourd followed by green cucumber and ridge gourd are the three most potent vegetables, juices of which can keep diabetic complications at bay.