Gurmar plant contains gymnemic acids that block sweet taste receptors and reduce the appeal of sugary foods
More than 101 million people across India today are living with diabetes—or high blood sugar levels, which is among the most prevalent metabolic disorders. While it is a challenge to keep your blood sugar levels low, diabetes can be a debilitating condition that needs a few lifestyle changes to keep it in control.
Apart from regulating your intake of sugary goods, refined carbs, and trans fats, there are a few Ayurvedic treatments you can try as well. The ancient system of medicine suggests a few herbs that could come in handy to manage your blood sugar levels naturally and check fluctuations. One such herb is gurmar, also popularly known as the “sugar destroyer”.
What is gurmar, and how does it work?
Known by its biological name Gymnema Sylvestre – gurmar is a plant used for treating malaria, snakebites, allergies, coughs, and constipation but is also recognised for its anti-diabetic qualities. Gymnema can lower the amount of sugar that gets absorbed into the intestines, which helps improve blood glucose levels.
Originating from tropical forests, this plant contains gymnemic acids that block sweet taste receptors and reduce the appeal of sugary foods. The leaves of gurmar are packed with powerful natural chemicals like triterpenoid saponins, flavonols, and gurmarin – all of which have the same effect of suppressing the taste of sweetness on your tongue from sugar, stevia, and artificial sweeteners such as aspartame.
Recently, a study was published in the Journal of Asian Natural Products Research, which investigated the antihyperglycemic effects of gymnemic acid IV – a compound derived from Gymnema sylvestre leaves in diabetic mice.
The study noted that if you take gymnema extract orally along with insulin or diabetes medications, it could lead to blood sugar reduction in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Previous studies have also shown how Gymnema sylvestre extracts may play an instrumental role in reducing cravings for sugar.
How to take gur
According to experts, a teaspoon of powdered Gurmar leaves along with water half an hour after lunch and dinner may help regulate the absorption of carbohydrates in the body.
Also, you can boil the leaves in water and have them as tea or kadha in the morning and evening daily. For taking gurmar as a chooran, or digestive powder, you can swallow it after lunch or dinner every day.
