Analysis of the active ingredients and suitable populations of health foods that help lower blood sugar

What are the active ingredients in health foods that help lower blood sugar?

Helping lower blood sugar refers to reducing fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (or glycated serum protein), serum cholesterol, and serum triglycerides, bringing these results back to normal ranges. According to the official website of the State Food and Drug Administration, as of June 11, 2015, there were 300 domestically produced health foods and 13 imported health foods registered and approved for helping lower blood sugar.

Currently, known effective components for lowering blood sugar include terpenes, peptides, flavonoids, sugars, guanidines, thioethers, alkaloids, coumarins, unsaturated fatty acids, and minerals. Below are some common effective ingredient names and their mechanisms of action on the market.

1. Blood Sugar Lowering Polysaccharides and Oligosaccharides

Porphyra polysaccharides, bitter melon polysaccharides, ginseng polysaccharides, and astragalus polysaccharides all have blood sugar lowering effects (Table 5-2). These hypoglycemic polysaccharides work on different mechanisms. For example, ginseng polysaccharides can lower blood glucose and liver glycogen levels, and promote insulin release; tea polysaccharides can repair β-pancreatic islet cells, enhance insulin secretion, and reduce adrenal cortex hormone secretion, thus promoting the conversion of blood glucose into glycogen in the liver; astragalus polysaccharides have a bidirectional regulatory effect on blood glucose and liver glycogen, protecting against both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.

2. Dietary Fiber

Water-soluble dietary fiber, extracted from konjac, plantain, oats, etc., forms a gel in the intestine, reducing glucose absorption and thus lowering fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels, improving glucose tolerance, and increasing tissue insulin receptor sensitivity. This benefits blood glucose control and reduces serum cholesterol levels. While insoluble fiber has no direct effect on blood glucose and lipid metabolism, it promotes gastrointestinal motility, accelerates food passage, and reduces absorption, thus indirectly lowering blood glucose. Furthermore, it increases stool volume, promoting bowel movements and aiding weight loss, making it a suitable weight-loss food.

The recommended daily intake of dietary fiber for healthy adults is 25g, while for diabetic patients it should be increased to around 30g.

3. Flavonoids

Quercetin, tea polyphenols, rutin, and anthocyanins are all flavonoids. Flavonoids are potent antioxidants; they can prevent premature aging, enhance blood vessel elasticity, inhibit allergies and inflammation, improve joint flexibility, promote the formation of normal connective tissue, and strengthen capillaries. They increase capillary and venous blood flow and help prevent thickening of the blood vessel walls caused by type 2 diabetes.

VI. Suitable and Unsuitable Populations

1. Suitable Population

Health foods that assist in lowering blood sugar are suitable for people with high blood sugar, primarily those with diabetes.

2. Unsuitable Population

National regulations stipulate that children and adolescents are "unsuitable" for health foods that assist in lowering blood sugar. However, some health foods that assist in lowering blood sugar contain special ingredients that may not be suitable for all patients. Therefore, please read the instructions carefully before purchasing and using them.