Discover the hidden 'treasure' of the Mediterranean diet that can help you manage diabetes.
In the heart of the Mediterranean, a small plant hides a special fruit for our health: the caper.
This superfood is known not only for its characteristic taste and the aromatic note that it gives to Mediterranean dishes but also for all its important benefits, such as regulating diabetes.
The Mediterranean, known for its variety of foods and rich dietary traditions, is the birthplace of many superfoods. These are foods rich in nutrients and have been recognised for their health benefits.
Some of the most well-known Mediterranean superfoods are olives, pomegranates, and thyme, all known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
The caper (Capparis spinosa) stands out for its multiple benefits in these superfoods. Despite its small size, the fruit contain rich antioxidants and nutrients that can help treat various health problems, including diabetes.
Diabetes
Recent research has begun to highlight the capers potential to help regulate blood sugar. Although more research is needed to confirm the results, some studies have already recorded promising findings.
So it seems that certain components of capers can help manage blood sugar better by enhancing its uptake by reducing carbohydrate absorption and protecting insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
Another small study involving 30 people with diabetes showed that consuming the fruit extract three times a day helped lower blood sugar levels and triglycerides.
An earlier study in 54 people with diabetes found that consuming 400 mg of caper extract three times a day for two months significantly improved fasting blood sugar levels and long-term blood sugar management compared to a control group.
A promising food for the future
Although the studies' results are encouraging, it is important to note that more research is needed to fully understand how capers affect blood sugar levels when consumed in normal amounts as part of a healthy diet.
Overall, capers are rich in antioxidants such as quercetin and rutin and help regulate blood sugar levels.
Adding it to your diet will provide additional health benefits, especially if you follow a balanced Mediterranean diet. Don't forget that despite its benefits, it is also very salty – i.e. rich in sodium – so it needs moderation in its consumption.
The article first appeared in Ygeia Mou.
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