Type 2 Diabetes and Black Garlic
An estimated 4.7 million people in the UK currently have diabetes. Black Garlic has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels and LDL cholesterol levels, two major risk factors for heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes is one of the most common medical conditions worldwide, affecting approximately 1 in 11 adults. This statistic is on the increase and by 2040, an estimated 650 million people will be living with the condition globally1. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are characterised by high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood – this can lead to serious health problems and complications. The majority of diabetics have type 2 diabetes, a condition that can be managed or prevented by adopting a healthier diet and lifestyle2. Garlic has been shown to reduce many diabetes risk factors by lowering cholesterol, triglyceride and blood sugar levels in clinical studies. However, new research has suggested that Black Garlic could be even better at reducing abnormally high blood sugar levels in diabetics.
Our cells need a steady supply of glucose, which our body generates from the food we consume, to create energy and allow our body to function normally. The pancreas controls how much sugar is in our blood using hormones, small chemical messengers that regulate how our body works. In Type 2 diabetes, these hormones aren't as effective and blood sugar levels can spike and dip abnormally. When sugar levels are too high or too low for extended periods, serious problems can occur around the body2.
Following a healthy diet and exercising frequently can reduce your risk of developing the disease, according to the British Heart Foundation3. Some foods can have a big impact on how our body regulates blood sugar levels – both garlic and black garlic are considered to have heart and circulatory system-supporting properties. Throughout history, garlic has been used to help manage high blood sugar levels - modern research now supports this as multiple studies have investigated garlic as a supplement to help manage type 2 diabetes mellitus4.
A 2017 study found that people could significantly lower their blood sugar levels in 1 to 2 weeks on average, when taking garlic a daily garlic supplement. After 12 weeks of daily garlic supplementation, LDL cholesterol levels can also decrease significantly4. This ground-breaking research is echoed by Diabetes.co.uk, Europe's largest diabetes advice and support community5.
Black garlic supplements might be superior to standard garlic supplements when it comes to regulating blood sugar levels. Black Garlic is a very different product to regular, white garlic. It has a completely different taste, texture and molecular composition. Many people compare the taste and appearance of black garlic to dates, due to its sweet, tangy flavour and sticky texture. Animal studies have demonstrated that black garlic can significantly decrease LDL cholesterol levels and blood glucose levels while increasing the levels of HDL cholesterol in the blood. This can be explained by black garlic's unique molecular composition6. The ageing and fermentation process used to produce black garlic drastically increases its allicin content and can cause a 5-fold increase in flavonoid and polyphenol molecules as well7.
When it comes to blood sugar levels, allicin is perhaps the most-important molecule obtained from garlic. It's this potent molecule that is thought to be responsible for many of black garlic's health-supporting properties4. Allicin supports heart health by helping to lower cholesterol levels and resist temporary oxidative stress. Kwai Heartcare+ with Japanese Black Garlic contains a standardised dose of 2,700ug of allicin per tablet as well as Vitamin B1 which contributes to normal heart function. Kwai Heartcare+ with Japanese Black Garlic has been meticulously formulated to support a healthy heart. Always contact your doctor before making changes to your diet or lifestyle.
2 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetes/
4 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5642189/
7 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1021949816301727