Recent research suggests that blood sugar problems could double within the next few years, and that includes Type 2 diabetes, which can lead to dangerous complications like cardiovascular disease, vascular damage, vision problems, kidney failure, and other health problems.
Type 2 diabetes is a result of insulin resistance, resulting in sustained high blood glucose levels. Excess weight and inactivity seem to be contributing factors to developing type 2 diabetes, as is a poor diet.
Aside from eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly, you can cut your risk of developing diabetes with certain foods! Studies show that there are foods, such as cottage cheese and cherries, that can help keep blood-sugar levels low and steady.
Research from the University of Illinois found that increasing your leucine intake – an amino acid found in cottage cheese – can fire up your insulin sensitivity in as little as 48 hours! Cottage cheese is one of the best sources of the amino acid, containing over 2,800 mg per cup. Other sources include soybeans, tofu, lentils and peanuts.
Other foods found to cut the risk of diabetes as much as 40 percent include:
Cherries
Unsweetened Applesauce
Vegetarian Chili
Shredded Coconut
Baby Carrots
Sweet Onions
Cinnamon
Cutting out white, starchy foods can make a different, too. According to Harvard researchers, swapping 3 cups of white rice in favor of brown rice every week can steady your blood sugar and cut your diabetes risk 24 percent!
