Increased blood sugar levels do not necessarily mean that one has diabetes, as they can be only one of the numerous symptoms of the disease.
Yet, this is a serious warning that should never be ignored, in order to prevent additional complications. Therefore, diagnosis hyperglycemia on time is of high importance in the prevention of more serious issues.
These are the most common signs of high blood sugar levels:
- A blurry vision
- Constant fatigue
- Weight gain and belly fat
- Itchy and dry skin
- Recurring infections
- Unquenchable thirst during the day
- Frequent need to urinate, especially during the night
- Slow healing of cuts and wounds
- Stomach discomfort
- Unexplainable hunger
- Constantly dry mouth
- Nerve issues
- Inability to focus
- Impotence
- Yet, the first thing you should do if you experience these symptoms is to try and lower your blood glucose levels in a natural way.
Diabetes is a complex disease that affects millions of people around the world, so stabilizing high blood sugar levels will prevent and delay additional complications.
Numerous studies have found that low-GI diets effectively reduce blood sugar levels, and lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.
The glycemic index (GI) is a type of scale which classifies foods based on the level at which they elevate the levels of sugar in the blood, or their glycemic response. It ranges from 0 to 100, and the higher a food is on the scale, the more it increases blood sugar. On the other hand, the lower it is, the safer it is to consume it.
One should avoid all foods that have a GI higher than 70, such as glazed donuts, white bread, popcorn, and rice cakes.
Here is a list of high- glycemic foods you should keep in mind when trying to lower blood sugar:
- Sugar
- Flour
- Bread
- Soda
- Rice
- Cookies and crackers
- White potatoes
- Some fruits: bananas, grapes, cherries, watermelon
- Raisins
Many breakfast cereals, including puffed rice and corn flakes
You can consume foods that belong to the moderate glycemic group from time to time, and some of these are:
- White rice
- Brown rice
- Croissant
- Cornmeal
- Beetroot
- Pineapples
- Mango
- Figs
- Taco shells
- Baked potatoes
The ones that are ranked the lowest on the scale have a GI that ranges from 0 to 54, such as the following:
Low-Glycemic Foods
- Farrow
- Quinoa
- Sweet potatoes
- Many vegetables, including leafy greens, asparagus, cauliflower
- Steel-cut oatmeal
- Reduced-fat yogurt
- Sesame seeds, peanuts, flax seeds
- Legumes, including lentils, chickpeas
- Ezekiel bread
- Skim milk
Furthermore, note that regular exercise will be of great help when trying to lower the elevated levels of blood sugar.