Diabetes and Figs - Enjoy Them While They're Fresh!

It has long been known that fig leaves are useful in curing diabetes. If brewed into a tea, they confer upon the drinker the benefit of needing less insulin. In fact, fig leaves are so effective at this, even type 1 diabetics benefit greatly, often being able to significantly reduce the amount of insulin they need.

However, the focus of this post is about FRESH figs and why, as it turns out, they are so good for diabetics to eat as well. By the way, "anjeer" is another commonly used name for fig, especially outside the United States.

I must admit that I do not have much history in eating fresh figs (anjeer). However, I was standing in the check-out line at the grocery store the other day talking with the lady in front of me who had several packs of fresh figs - 3 varieties in fact. She was a walking natural commercial for figs as she simply exuded the physical appearance and attitude of a very healthy person. That conversation really motivated me to do some research on figs and I'm glad I did because, as it turns out, fresh figs are an excellent dietary choice for diabetics.

It's no wonder that I have never been a big fig (anjeer) eater - and they aren't anywhere near the most popularly consumed fruits. The main reason for this is they are extremely perishable. In fact, they only last about 3-4 days, even if you put them in the refrigerator. For this reason, it is difficult for grocers to carry fresh figs. However, during the months of August through October, which is now of course, you should be able to find some good fresh figs. Most figs that are grown commercially are dried - it's something like 80% - 90% of all figs are dried in fact (sources varied on this stat). Dried figs do offer some of the benefits that I discuss below but not as much as fresh figs so you should try to take advantage of the fresh fig season which we're in right now. If you do buy dried figs, be sure to get organic so they are not treated with sulfur which negates the benefits.

Here are some of the benefits of figs for diabetics I found from my research:

Figs have more fiber than any other fruit or vegetable - more than even plums/prunes! This includes both soluble and insoluble fiber in one delicious package. You get 5 grams of fiber eating just 3 figs. Eating more natural fiber has many healthy benefits of course, but for the diabetic specifically, it slows down the digestion and absorption of sugar and carbs. Fiber also helps you lose weight more easily which can dramatically improve the quality of life of a diabetic and make it much easier to cure the disease.

Figs also have more minerals important to diabetics than any other fruit! Figs are extremely high in manganese, calcium, and potassium. Figs truly are one of the most nutrient dense foods around. Remember too that buying organic figs will ensure you get more of these healthy minerals and vitamins (and anti-oxidants - discussed below).

Manganese is important for diabetics because it is critical in carbohydrate metabolism. Furthermore, studies have shown than most diabetics show a deficiency in manganese. There is some evidence that low manganese levels actually contributes to the development of diabetes but more work needs to be done in this area. However, it is definitely known that people who have already been diagnosed with diabetes need to make sure they get enough manganese.

Calcium is one of the most important methods that you can use to keep your body more alkaline which is extremely important in curing diabetes. In fact, figs are one of the most alkalizing foods you can eat! I should probably note that calcium plays a part in that but is not the only factor.

Potassium helps to stabilize blood sugar - you'll have less peaks and valleys. There's also evidence that shows that potassium actually lowers blood sugar as well.

It turns out that figs (anjeer) also have an incredible quantity per gram of very powerful anti-oxidants which are well known to be very important in preventing the develop of diabetes and the in reversing it. These include flavonoids, polyphenols, and nonfluorescing chlorophyll catabolytes (NCCs for short) which are just beginning to be thoroughly studied but already show incredible promise for diabetes.

I think figs (anjeer) may become known as a "power food" for diabetics dedicated to curing their diabetes naturally. I can not emphasize enough how important food is in curing diabetes - and YES, it can be cured naturally as I am walking proof of that. However, in order to do this you do really need to have a comprehensive source of information (you can't just eat figs - smile) and this is by far the best comprehensive source I have found for diabetics to cure their own disease and get off of medication - I no longer take ANY diabetes medication and all my blood tests come back normal. The information I have linked above is what I used to cure my diabetes.

Diabetic Diet: How Lemon and Lemon Water Can Help Cure Diabetes

Hi. I originally wrote the following article on using lemons to help cure diabetes for syndication on other websites. It has gotten such a positive response, I wanted to post it here on my personal blog as well. I will add that you should try to get organic lemons whenever possible since they contain even higher levels of the nutrients I describe below. If you don't get organic lemons, be sure to wash the outer lemon thoroughly before you slice into it to remove the residual pesticides.

I started buying fresh lemons by the bag after I found out how they can help cure diabetes. They are quite literally a miracle from Mother Nature! I have always loved fresh lemon but now I make an extra effort to eat lots of them. In fact, I believe lemons should be an important staple in every diabetic diet.

Lemon Lowers the Glycemic Index of Other Foods

Research has shown that lemon lowers the glycemic index of any food it is added to. And... we are not talking a few points here. The drop is very significant! To benefit from this, all you have to do is add a little squeeze of fresh lemon over your food. Almost like waving a magic wand, this will instantly lower the glycemic index of your meal. Best of all, lemon is such an excellent flavor enhancer, it makes many foods taste better too. I often add a squeeze of fresh lemon to a hot bowl of soup (yum!), casseroles, stove top goulashes, stir-fries, almost any kind of salad (including salads containing fruit), and sauteed vegetables (especially greens!). Anything with chicken or fish of course tastes especially good with lemon. Please note that it is best to add the fresh lemon right before you eat the food because lemon becomes bitter when it is cooked. If you cook it in soup, for example, the soup will be a little bitter and the health benefits won't be quite as great.

Have A Glass of Lemon Water First Thing In the Morning

A glass of lemon water is the perfect way for a diabetic to start the day. Most people start their day with coffee (very acidic) and food that shift the pH of the body toward the acid side. However, if you shift the pH back toward the alkaline side, you will notice your blood sugar will go down. Moreover, your cell membranes will become more sensitive to insulin - i.e. you will be LESS insulin resistant. In fact, this will actually aid your body in repairing those damaged cell membranes.

Although lemons contain a weak acid, when they are metabolized by the body they have an alkalizing effect. If fact, they are the strongest alkalizing food you can eat! This is why adding lemon to your diet can go a long way toward restoring the pH of your body to the alkaline side where it should be. It has been found that most diabetics have a very acidic body pH (as have cancer patients). Bringing your body back to the alkaline side will go a long way toward helping to cure your diabetes.

Making lemon water is very easy. Just squeeze the juice from a half lemon (or a full lemon if you are a larger person) into a glass of water, swirl it around a little, and drink it up. Do this first thing in the morning on an empty stomach before you have your coffee or breakfast. Also, if you roll the lemon on the counter under the palm of your hand, you will get more juice out of it.

Lemons Have TWICE the Vitamin C As Oranges

This was a fact that surprised me as you always hear that orange juice is so loaded with vitamin C. Well, the orange's citrus cousin has it beat with twice the vitamin C. Most people don't realize but vitamin C is an extremely powerful antioxidant. It is important to note that vitamin C  taken in the form of food is much better absorbed by the body than vitamin C taken in the form of a pill!
Vitamin C is at least part of the reason lemons interact with the cell membrane and make it less insulin resistant. However, vitamin C also has other very important benefits to the diabetic as well. For example, it increases the production of collagen which strengthens blood vessels. This is key since many diabetics have problems with circulation and arterial damage.

Aids In Repairing Digestion

Most diabetics have impaired digestive enzymes and lowered acidity in the stomach. This means that they don't always reap the full benefit from the nutritious food they eat. Lemon goes a long way toward curing this problem as well.

Eating Lemons Is Just One Important Thing You Need To Know About Curing Your Diabetes Naturally

Don't let anyone fool you. It is possible to cure type 2 diabetes. I cured my diabetes! I went from a HgAC1 of 10.6 to less than 6 (my last reading was 5.2) in less than 6 months and I've been able to keep it that way. When I was first diagnosed, they were giving me insulin and then they wanted me to take a variety of prescription drugs. I finally said, "NO!" and I shopped around to find another doctor who would support my efforts to cure my diabetes naturally. To cure my diabetes, I used the techniques described in in this video and the resources it describes. 

Reverse Diabetes Naturally - My Personal Experience

Important: Please note that I wrote the post below going on four years ago (May 15, 2010) and I had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only a few months before. I was already heavy into research on how to reverse diabetes but I definitely know more now than I knew then. Be sure to read the important update at the end.

Here's my personal story:

I'm a newly diagnosed diabetic and I'm determined to reverse diabetes naturally through diet, exercise, finding ways to reduce my stress, and other natural means.

I went to the doctor recently for a general checkup. It had been about 3 years since I had been to the doctor. I know this is bad but I'm more of a heal yourself kind of person and I'm basically terrified of any kind of medical procedure. Anyway, they drew blood and I was diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic. Not only was my blood sugar over 200, my HgAc1 test came back initially as 10.6! In other words, it was considered severe diabetes. This was very unpleasant news to say the least! Quite frankly, it took a couple of weeks I think for this news to fully sink in. I think I was in denial at first. Diabetes runs in my family on my father's side with my father having the worst of it. He had terrible circulation problems in his feet and legs and it affected his eyesight as well (so much so he had trouble driving in the end). He didn't take care of himself. He almost never got any exercise and basically refused to change his diet, although we pleaded with him to do so. He died at the young age of 49. I do not plan to follow in his footsteps.

On the other side of the coin, my father's mom, my paternal Grandmother, always took very good care of herself. However, she was still diagnosed in the early 70's with what they then called "borderline diabetes" which they commonly refer to now as "pre diabetes." Her blood sugar was a little higher than the high end of the normal range but not high enough to take insulin. These days most doctors would have probably put her on oral medication but in the 1970s doctors still prescribed dietary changes sometimes rather than automatically doling out prescription drugs.  I was just a kid then but I remember how determined she was to not let it get any worse. She started walking more and she closely watched her diet. Not only did she not let it get any worse, she reversed her borderline diabetes. My Grandmother is now 90 years old and she's in terrific shape for her age. Her blood sugar is completely NORMAL now every time she goes to the doctor for a check up they have been for years. In fact, she's often on the low end of the normal range. She's very active for her age and stays mentally sharp. She goes to church every week, does her own shopping, keeps up with all her own affairs, loves to laugh and spend time with her family, and does many other activities with friends. She's also a joy to be around --- and she's diabetes free!

My Grandmother has always been an inspiration to me. I'm determined to follow in her footsteps and reverse my diabetes naturally. I would love to hear from other people who have reversed their diabetes with diet and other natural ways. Please leave me a comment.

Update: I HAVE reversed my diabetes using this basic method even though this method is a bit more refined through research and my blood tests have come back normal every time I've had it tested. I am now on a personal mission to help other diabetics reverse their diabetes too. If you are diabetic or pre-diabetic, I high recommend you go to the top of this page and click on the red button. The information could literally change your whole life. It is the most comprehensive source and best researched information I've seen to reversing diabetes. I do provide lots of information here on this blog but to really do it, to really reverse your diabetes, you're going to need every detail to follow and I just don't have the time to post every detail here. I've learned that there are several steps you need to take and if you skip just one, you may not reverse your diabetes, although you may help control it - but I want you to understand you can CURE diabetes, not just control it. Check out the reference I provide at the top of this and and let me know what you think.