The World Diabetes Day (WDD) was created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes.
It is marked every year on 14 November, the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922.
The day is the world’s largest diabetes awareness campaign.
The campaign draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and it was aimed to be the platform to promote IDF advocacy efforts throughout the year, a global driver to promote the importance of taking coordinated and concerted actions to confront sugar related health crisis as a critical global health issue.
As Nigerians join the world in this campaign, Blueprint looks at basic tips to naturally manage sugar level.
1. Exercise regularly
Regular exercise can help improve your insulin sensitivity, which means your cells can better use the sugar in your blood, reducing blood sugar levels. Good forms of exercise include weightlifting, walking briskly, running, bicycling, dancing, hiking, and swimming.
2. Drink plenty of water
Drinking plenty of water helps your kidneys flush out excess sugar. People who drink more water lower their risk for developing high blood sugar levels.
3. Eat foods that are rich in chromium and magnesium
High blood sugar levels are linked to deficiencies in minerals like chromium and magnesium, which regulate blood sugar. Chromium-rich foods include meats, fruit, vegetables, and nuts. Magnesium-rich foods include dark, leafy greens, squash and pumpkin seeds, tuna, whole grains, dark chocolate, bananas, and beans.
4. Go for raw Fruit over Juice
A glass of orange juice is not the same as eating a whole orange. “People generally drink more juice and therefore consume more calories and sugar than they would by just eating fruit.
5. Reduce starchy/Carbohydrates foods
Most african dishes generally are starchy and contain high level of sugar, to regulate your sugar level there must be a check on your starchy and carbohydrates intake.
6. Eat Right
There aren’t any foods you can eat that will reduce your blood sugar immediately. However, you can improve your body’s ability to manage glucose over time by eating low glycemic index foods.
7. Regular check-up
Monitor your sugar level, you don’t necessarily need to visit clinic for check up, you can do it yourself at home, purchase glucometer, a device use to determine the level of sugar in the body. Obtain your blood to the chip and insert into the meter, you get a reading for your sugar level.
