The common bay leaf is usually found in kitchen cabinets, and it is known to people who love the Italian cuisine. But for those of you who aren’t familiar with the bay leaf, you should know that dried or fresh bay leaves are usually used in cooking.
This is thanks to its distinctive fragrance and flavor. But it seems that there is more to this commonly used ingredient than we thought. As a matter of fact, is said that bay leaf comes with potent benefits for the health of the heart and diabetes.
People who have type 2 diabetes actually find it hard to metabolize sugar, but bay leaves have been shown to improve the function of the insulin notably.
It is said that they help regulate sugar in people with diabetes. However, triglycerides and total cholesterol were decreased. Therefore the liver and heart were benefited by this herb. Surprised? Read on find out more about bay leaves for blood sugar.
Bay Leaves for Blood Sugar – Study
In one particular study, test subjects with type 2 diabetes were divided into four groups. One group were given pills with one gram of ground of bay leaves, and the other two groups were given pills with 2 and 3 g of bay leaves.
And the fourth group got a placebo. The test subjects took their pills for one month. The 3 groups that took pills with bay leaf noticed lowered serum sugar levels, with notable increase after 21 days of around 26 percent improvement.
According to this study consuming one hand of bay leaves on a daily basis for 30 days can notably improve both cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk factors.
In fact, the researchers didn’t recommend any particular kind of bay leaves, and there are numerous kinds and varieties.
Results of the Study
- Serum sugar levels lowered notably among those who took bay leaf pills,
- Total cholesterol lowered 20 to 24 percent after one month with bigger decrease in LDL, i.e., low-density lipoprotein cholesterol of 32 to 40 percent,
- Triglycerides lowered 34 and 25 percent in groups consuming one and two grams of bay leaves,
- HDL cholesterol increased from 20 to 29 percent in the groups that got one and two grams of bay leaves,
- In the placebo group, there were no significant changes.
The Conclusion of the Study
This study shows that bay leaves consumption of one to three grams on a daily basis for 30 days, lowers risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This notes that bay leaves might be good for people with diabetes.
Potent Phytonutrients Boost the Health of the Heart
It is thought that these leaves might boost the health of the heart. It is like that since these leaves have phytonutrients which are good for the heart. Phytonutrients are good for the heart because they can:
- help prevent strokes,
- improve the function of the heart,
- prevent heart complications,
- prevent heart attacks.
However, we should be careful when picking bay leaves.
Why? Read on to find out.
Be Careful with Bay Leaves
In case you want to try and use bay leaves for therapeutic purposes, you need to be extremely careful. Some kinds of plants are known as bay leaves, but the only medicinally applicable leaf is known by the name Laurus nobilis.
It is said that other bay leaves don’t come with the same health benefits, and some of them might even be toxic. For instance, the Kalmia latifolia is linked to the bay leaf and looks like. However, it’s toxic.
Also, you need to avoid California bay leaves or also known as California laurel, i.e., Umbellularia californica. The good news is that the real bay leaves are inexpensive and easily found. You can find them in local health stores.
But, just to be on the safe side make sure to consult your doctor before including bay leaves in your diet. Your doctor needs to know about every change you make in your diabetes management plan.
