Aishwarya Sakhuja, a TV star, recently said that her doctor added betel leaf to her diet to help her control her HbA1c numbers. The star, who has had type 1 diabetes since 2018, wrote on social media that she was interested in this strange diet idea. Many people with diabetes were interested in her question and wanted to know whether folk treatments can help control blood sugar.
Later, a diabetologist discussed the possible benefits of betel leaf and how it may help better control blood sugar when part of a healthy lifestyle.
Why Betel Leaf Was Put Into Her Food
Aishwarya Sakhuja said her doctor told her to eat more betel or paan leaf to lower her HbA1c. This test, called HbA1c or glycated haemoglobin, shows how much sugar has been in your blood on average over the last three months.
The star talked about how she changed her diet and said that betel leaf is not only a traditional food but has also been used in Ayurveda for a long time. She said the leaf has been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years and is now being studied by scientists.
Her post raised a simple yet important question about how this common leaf might help people control their blood sugar.
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What Health Experts Say About Betel Leaf and High Blood Sugar
Dr. Vijay Negalur, a diabetologist, says that plant chemicals in betel leaves can help fight inflammation and free radicals. It’s possible that these traits can help the body use energy more efficiently.
According to some research, eating betel leaves might help keep blood sugar levels in check. Doctors say that changes in HbA1c are usually caused by several factors acting together. Some of these are eating right, managing your weight properly, working out regularly, and keeping an eye on your blood sugar.
Experts stress that changing your diet alone rarely leads to significant improvements. They work best when combined with a healthy lifestyle.
How betel leaf might be good for you
Doctors say that betel leaves may help control blood sugar by increasing the body’s sensitivity to insulin. When insulin works well in the body, it helps cells use sugar from the bloodstream more efficiently.
This process can help keep blood sugar levels in check and improve overall diabetes management. If insulin works better, the body can use sugar more efficiently rather than letting it remain in the blood.
But experts say the effect may vary by person and that it shouldn’t be seen as the main treatment, but rather as an extra part of a healthy diet.
Is it safe for diabetics?
Doctors say that people with diabetes can usually eat betel leaves without getting sick as long as they do it the right way. But it’s important that the leaves are taken without any tobacco or supari added.
People can eat the leaf after a meal or drink water that has been boiled with a betel leaf, according to experts. These tips might help you eat it as part of a healthy diet without adding anything bad.
Doctors say the most important thing is to use caution and seek help from a medical professional before starting any new diet.
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Natural remedies can’t replace diabetes medicine
Health professionals stress that natural treatments like betel leaves cannot be used instead of diabetes drugs that are recommended by a doctor. They might be good for your health in general, but you should only use them with medical care and changes to your lifestyle.
Doctors also say that HbA1c reflects how much sugar has been in the blood over the past 3 months. Because of this, there is no natural cure or medicine that can very quickly and significantly lower blood sugar.
Instead, stable habits like eating well, exercising regularly, and staying on top of things are still the most reliable ways to effectively manage diabetes.
People are now more aware of how traditional foods can support current health goals thanks to Aishwarya Sakhuja’s story. But experts say that you should talk to your doctor before adding these treatments to your plan for managing your diabetes.
