A research at the Lead City University (LCU), Ibadan has shown that consumption of onions and cucumbers can boost good cholesterol and lower blood sugar in the body.
The study which was carried out on diabetic lab rats noted that vegetables like cucumber (Cucumis sativa) and onions (Allium cepa) are rich in natural compounds hence capable of playing vital roles in glucose homeostasis or regulation.
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The paper led by McDonald Ighodaro, Associate Professor of Biochemistry, disclosed that 50 grams each of cucumber and onions where blended with 50mL of water and the blended samples were allowed to stand for 3 hours, stirred intermittently and filtered to obtain freshly prepared aqueous juice extracts.”
It explained that the experimental rats induced with streptozotocin were given an oral administration, twice daily at 8hr interval for a period of 7 days, resulting to significantly boost good cholesterol (HDL), lowers blood sugar and bad cholesterol in diabetic animals.
It stated that the use of streptozotocin as a diabetogenic agent in the study was informed by its ability to induce stable and insulin-dependent hyperglycaemia in experimental animals.
Adding that results obtained indicated that the investigated botanicals could be vital in the fight against diabetes; particularly in terms of management, prevention and natural regression of the disease.
“There is so much talk about cholesterol been a bad molecule but it’s necessary for the body to function properly.”
The body utilizes cholesterol for the production of vital molecules such as sex hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids which aid fat digestion.
Commenting on the relationship between cholesterol and diabetes, it explained that the blood sugar level is persistently high, there is a high possibility of the metabolism of other molecules such as lipids being affected.
“When this happens, there is a significant decline in cholesterol which in part causes an upsurge in the physiological levels of total cholesterol and total triacylglycerides, often associated with diabetes,” he said.
On the prevalence of diabetes in the world, it pointed out that condition affects 415 million people could grow to 642 million by the year 2040.
While age is one of the most important risk factors, the disease has become rife among all age groups.
With Nigeria having the the highest number of people with diabetes in Sub-Saharan Africa.
It added that the rise is due to the increase in the number of established fast food centres, contributing to availability of unhealthy diets with high calorie content and unhealthy fats.
- Boils? Try turmeric
Turmeric powder has both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, both of which can help heal a boil and get rid of it quickly.
It’s been used as a natural blood purifier for thousands of years in eastern medicine.
You can choose to ingest turmeric powder, use it topically to treat boils, or both!
To ingest it, boil a teaspoon of turmeric powder in water or milk, and drink it three times daily once cooled.
To use it topically, mix turmeric with water and/or ginger to make a paste, and apply it to the boil at least twice a day.
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