Diabetes is becoming a common disease in Africa, with millions of cases and hundreds of thousands of deaths annually. Hence, the necessity of applying caution to whatever we eat. Achieving a healthy body system free of diabetes is – contrary to expert claims – actually possible. The good news is that there are some African foods that are healthy for consumption and assist in fighting the disease. Here are five African superfoods you should be eating now to fight diabetes.
Moringa
Moringa is rich in Vitamin C. And Vitamin C has been proven to be useful in producing nitric oxide which helps the body produce nitric oxide that helps the blood vessels to function properly. This, in turn, helps to prevent the body from developing diabetic cataract. Moringa is also rich in Vitamin A. This means that you are safe from developing blindness caused by diabetes.
African Indigenous Vegetables
Some African vegetables are rich in Vitamin C, iron, folate, Vitamin E, calcium, and protein. They include amaranth leaves, African nightshade, and spider plant. Eating them regularly helps the body fight common diseases such as diabetes.
Fonio
Rich in amino acids, this is a type of grain usually grown in some West African countries, for instance, Mali. Rich in calcium, iron, folic acid, Vitamin B1, Magnesium, Phosphorus, and zinc, Folio is a very nutritious grain such that its nutrients surpass that of rice, wheat, rye, and maize. This grain helps to fight diabetes because it is gradually absorbed by the body. In other words, it has a low glycemic index.
Baobab
Rich in soluble fibre and polyphenols, Baobab fruit from the African Baobab Tree also known as the ‘Tree of Life’ should be consumed regularly to regulate blood sugar levels. Soluble fibre and polyphenols work in reducing the glycemic response of simple carbs. Baobab is definitely an effective fruit powder for Type 2 diabetes patients.
Tamarind
Tamarind is used in the treatment of sore throats, indigestion, stomach aches, inflammation, rheumatism, and fevers. Asides its other healing features, Tamarind is also a great superfood used in fighting diabetes. A particular study shows that the tamarind seed reduced the glucose uptake in a group of diabetes patients. This means that a new herbal supplement from the tamarind seed can be formulated to aid the treatment of diabetes patients.
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