Diabetes is one of the most common diseases that involves a range of metabolic disorders that cause a spike in blood sugar levels. It may trigger due to a genetic disposition, lifestyle or dietary habits. It is linked with numerous health conditions like obesity and a range of heart ailments. Diabetics often need to take care of their diet, considering it may help manage the condition better, if not cure it completely. Health experts suggest several natural remedies for managing diabetes, one of these methods involves the usage of paneer ke phool, or also known as Indian rennet, withania coagulans or paneer doda. Paneer ke phool is a flower that is native to India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. It is known to have medicinal properties and is great for diabetics. Let's dig in deeper to understand how paneer ke phool helps in managing this condition. If you are a diabetic, this might come handy to you.

What is paneer ka phool?
Paneer ke phool is a flower in the solanaceae family that is majorly found in India and used in various medicines in Ayurveda. The fruits of the plant are sweet and are said to be sedative and diuretic properties. It is said to combat insomnia, nervous exhaustion, asthma and diabetes.

How does Paneer Ke Phool Help Manage Diabetes?
According to Macrobiotic Nutritionist and Health Practitioner Shilpa Arora, "This flower heals the beta cells of the pancreas for better utilisation of insulin. If taken daily, even in small quantities, it could effectively manage high blood sugar levels. However, one must remember, there is no single food that can treat diabetes completely. There has to be a right balance for diabetics; sugar and all refined foods like cookies, biscuits, breads and processed snacks need to be eliminated from the diet. A balanced healthy diet is critical with the addition of powerful healing foods like paneer ke phool or paneer doda.

According to Dietitian Ritu Arora, "It is a herb which is used for diabetic management. It has the abilities of not only regulating the insulin level inside our cells; but also repairs the beta cells of pancreas which are the producers of insulin. In diabetics, beta cells present in islets of langerhans are damaged; hence type-2 diabetics' body is unable to produce insulin, which is why an outer source is required. This is where paneer ke phool or paneer doda comes into play. Take 7-10 pieces of paneer ke phool soaked overnight in water then drink that stock on an empty stomach. We can surely control the insulin levels by drinking this extract and eating the right balanced diet."

A study conducted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) concluded that regular consumption of Withania Coagulans for 30 days significantly improved glycaemic status.

Paneer Ke Phool: What does Ayurveda suggest?
As per Dr. Ram N Kumar from NirogStreet, "Paneer ke phool is used in diabetes management. Take it in the form of kadha. All you need to do is to take some paneer ke phool and soak them in water for about two hours. Now boil the flowers in the same water in a saucepan to ensure that all the goodness has been extracted from the flower. Strain the water and drink it every day on an empty stomach." One can also use the powder that is available in medical stores.

While paneer ke phool can be used to combat a condition like diabetes, one should remember it is best to team it with exercise and a healthy balanced diet. Consult a doctor or an Ayurvedic expert before switching to this herb for managing diabetes.

As per various health researches, foods laden with sugar or artificial sweeteners can lead to a plethora of lifestyle diseases, including obesity, diabetes and heart-related ailments. As per the WHO reports, around 1.9 billion adults and 41 million kids are suffering from obesity around the world. Having too much sugar in your food - be it in natural form or additives - can make you addicted to it. And, when you are stressed or feeling emotional or bored, you will crave for it even more. However, not all foods high in sugar that we eat taste sweet. Surprised much? For instance, junk food like French fries, burger, and packaged fruit juices and soda. Yes, these simple carb foods easily break down into sugar in the body, further leads to a quick glucose spike.


We have listed 5 high-sugar foods that must avoid to reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes and related diseases:

1. Flavoured Green Tea
We all know that there are various benefits of drinking green tea. This low-caffeine and high-antioxidant beverage is known to keep various diseases at bay and helps promote your health. There are many flavoured green tea that have gained popularity because of their amazing flavour and delicious taste. However, unlike your green tea that you drink every day (green tea leaves), these flavoured green teas contain added sugar or artificial sweeteners, which are without a doubt harmful for our health. Same is the case with the packaged Coffee mixtures we get - they also contain added sugar and cream, which reduce its goodness.

2. Low-Fat Yogurt
Having of a bowlful of creamy, homemade yogurt can do wonders for your health. Not only is it eaten as is, but also made part of various Indian delicacies as well - be it curries, raitas, kebabs or smoothies. Packed with magnesium, potassium, calcium, vihe low-fat version of yogurt that we get from supermarket and stores are surprisingly packed with added sugar and flavourtamin B-2 and vitamin B-12, this probiotic delight is a gut-friendly food. However, t to make it taste as good as full-fat yogurt. So, it is better to prepare yogurt at home.

3. Packaged Fruit Juices
Fruits in raw and fresh form are the best for our health. In fact, drinking fruit juices fuels are body with energy and vitamin C. However, packaged fruit juices are not the same as fresh fruit juices. They are low in fibre, minerals, and vitamins. Moreover, they contain added sugar and artificial flavours and colours. Therefore, avoid drinking store-bought (packaged) fruit juices. It is better to prepare freshly pressed juice at home and have it without adding sugar.

4. Salad Dressing
If you're on a diet and want to make a meal out of your salads, then you would be better off mixing some good carbs from whole grains with the greens. But, what about the dressings? Most of us prefer buying salad dressings from supermarkets. However, these packaged salad dressings contain high sugar than we can imagine. Two tablespoons of salad dressing contain around four grams of added sugar. Moreover, all these store-bought salad dressings have additives and taste enhancers in them. Opt for fresh fruit juice in your salad dressing for a healthier alternative.

5. Sugar-Free Products
Surprisingly, all the sugar-free products available in the market have sugar alcohols like sorbitol and mannitol, flour, milk, etc. These sugar alcohols are not absorbed by the body completely, having them too much may lead to digestive troubles, which ultimately slow down metabolism and result in weight gain.

Sugars that we get from fruits and vegetables are good for our body, if taken in moderate quantity. It is the added sugar that is harmful for us. Check the labels before you buy any bottled or packaged food.

Diabetes management: Asparagus is an exotic vegetable that is gradually being accepted in cuisines all over the world. Asparagus shoots are usually found in Chinese foods and in some south-Indian meals as well. It is a relatively expensive vegetable, which is why it is used sparingly, mostly in gourmet meals. Apart from providing a crackling, crunchy taste, it offers a host of nutritional benefits. Among all the health benefits it provides, its ability to help combat Type-2 diabetes makes it a food with health-promoting properties. It is low in calories, high in proteins and a great source of minerals, especially potassium. Consuming asparagus regularly may lead to high urine and salt excretion that eventually helps in maintaining blood sugar level.

Asparagus has long been used for herbal healing purposes for its potent medicinal properties. Given all the advantages of eating this vegetable, it is only prudent to include it in our diet to manage diseases like diabetes. Asparagus is not commonly available in India but you can find it in gourmet stores and on online food websites. If you are not sure how to really use this vegetable for consumption, pick your cues from the following recipes.

Asparagus-Based Recipes -
1. Asparagus with Sesame and Lemon
Fresh green asparagus is sauteed in butter with garlic and toasted sesame seeds. It is then garnished with lemon juice for a sour flavour. This dish is perfect for a light low-carb dinner or party appetiser.

2. Asparagus with Creamy Mushrooms
Two nutritious foods – asparagus and chestnuts – come together to dish out a flavourful and healthy dish. Asparagus and chestnuts are sauteed with spring onions and ginger and seasoned with soya sauce. Enjoy this delicious meal with creamy mushrooms and bread croutons on the side.

3. Yellow Pepper and Asparagus Stir-Fry
Crunchy asparagus is stir-fried with yellow peppers and almonds in olive oil and spiced up with red chilli and pepper. It is perfect for a healthy evening snack before dinner.

4. Spicy Sauteed Asparagus
Here is another asparagus small meal but with an Indian twist. Asparagus is sauteed in butter with a range of Indian spices like garam masala, coriander powder, salt, turmeric and chillies. It is garnished with sesame seeds and can be enjoyed in between the meals.

Asparagus can be cooked in a number of ways. Roast it, grill it or stir-fry it; avail the benefits of this wonder ingredient by making it a part of your diabetes diet.

Diabetes management: Asparagus is an exotic vegetable that is gradually being accepted in cuisines all over the world. Asparagus shoots are usually found in Chinese foods and in some south-Indian meals as well. It is a relatively expensive vegetable, which is why it is used sparingly, mostly in gourmet meals. Apart from providing a crackling, crunchy taste, it offers a host of nutritional benefits. Among all the health benefits it provides, its ability to help combat Type-2 diabetes makes it a food with health-promoting properties. It is low in calories, high in proteins and a great source of minerals, especially potassium. Consuming asparagus regularly may lead to high urine and salt excretion that eventually helps in maintaining blood sugar level.

Asparagus has long been used for herbal healing purposes for its potent medicinal properties. Given all the advantages of eating this vegetable, it is only prudent to include it in our diet to manage diseases like diabetes. Asparagus is not commonly available in India but you can find it in gourmet stores and on online food websites. If you are not sure how to really use this vegetable for consumption, pick your cues from the following recipes.

Asparagus-Based Recipes -
1. Asparagus with Sesame and Lemon
Fresh green asparagus is sauteed in butter with garlic and toasted sesame seeds. It is then garnished with lemon juice for a sour flavour. This dish is perfect for a light low-carb dinner or party appetiser.

2. Asparagus with Creamy Mushrooms
Two nutritious foods – asparagus and chestnuts – come together to dish out a flavourful and healthy dish. Asparagus and chestnuts are sauteed with spring onions and ginger and seasoned with soya sauce. Enjoy this delicious meal with creamy mushrooms and bread croutons on the side.

3. Yellow Pepper and Asparagus Stir-Fry
Crunchy asparagus is stir-fried with yellow peppers and almonds in olive oil and spiced up with red chilli and pepper. It is perfect for a healthy evening snack before dinner.

4. Spicy Sauteed Asparagus
Here is another asparagus small meal but with an Indian twist. Asparagus is sauteed in butter with a range of Indian spices like garam masala, coriander powder, salt, turmeric and chillies. It is garnished with sesame seeds and can be enjoyed in between the meals.

Asparagus can be cooked in a number of ways. Roast it, grill it or stir-fry it; avail the benefits of this wonder ingredient by making it a part of your diabetes diet.

Walnuts are said to be healthy for daily consumption. The nuts are said to be loaded with healthy fats in the form of omega 3 fatty acids as well as fibre. A new study has said that consuming walnuts can be particularly beneficial for those suffering from metabolic syndrome and may potentially bring down the risk of developing diabetes in such people. This is because walnuts may increase the levels of good cholesterol or High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) in the body and may even decrease fasting glucose level. Diabetes is a condition where the levels of blood glucose are persistently elevated. People suffering from metabolic syndrome have an elevate risk of developing Type-2 diabetes, stroke and heart diseases. This study's results may lead to a potential novel dietary method for bringing down risk of diabetes in metabolic syndrome patients.

The results of the study were published in the journal Nutrition Research and Practice. For the study, researchers divided 119 Korean males and females with metabolic syndrome into two separate control groups randomly. While the first group was asked to consume 45 gm of walnuts everyday for 16 weeks, the second group was asked to consume iso-caloric white bread as snacks. Both the groups had a six-week rest period, at the end of the 16 weeks, after which walnuts and white bread were cross-overly distributed to the two groups for a period of 16 weeks again. During the trial, the lipid profile, Hb1Ac levels, levels of adiponectin as well as leptin, apolipoprotein B were measured four times along with anthropometric and bioimpedance data.

Five markers of metabolic syndromes- blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglycerides and abdominal fat- were also mapped. It was reported that a little over half (51.2 per cent) of the participants with metabolic syndrome at baseline had reverted to normal status after 16 weeks of consuming walnuts. The levels of HDL, fasting glucose, Hb1Ac and adiponectin were observed to have improved significantly. The researchers concluded that consuming walnuts are snacking alternatives for high-carbohydrate foods may be a good idea for improvement in patients of metabolic syndrome.