Researchers from Australia's Edith Cowan University have discovered that cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and cabbage, help regulate blood sugar levels more effectively than root vegetables and pumpkin.
The Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging published a study showing that eating cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower helps stabilize blood sugar levels in adults with high blood pressure but not diagnosed with diabetes.
A number of adults participated in the study, who ate four servings of vegetables daily over two 14-day periods. During the first period, they ate cruciferous vegetables, while the second period included carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin.
All participants wore portable blood glucose meters, allowing researchers to monitor their blood sugar levels in real-time throughout the study. The results showed that cruciferous vegetables were most effective in stabilizing blood sugar levels, with participants recording only a slight increase after meals and throughout the day.
Researchers indicate that 541 million people worldwide suffer from unstable blood sugar levels, and that reducing blood sugar fluctuations contributes to improving overall health and reducing the risk of many chronic diseases.
