Lemon is known for its numerous health benefits, and its effect on blood sugar levels is a topic of increasing interest to researchers and health professionals. Here’s a professional review of how lemon consumption can affect blood sugar levels, the mechanisms of action, and its importance for metabolic health.
Lemon’s Effect on Blood Sugar
Lemon is a citrus fruit rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, and other bioactive compounds that may have positive effects on health, including blood sugar regulation. The main effects include:
-
Lowering the glycemic index of foods: Consuming lemon with carbohydrate-rich foods can lower the glycemic index (GI) of those foods. The GI measures how foods affect blood sugar levels. By lowering the GI, lemon can help reduce post-meal glucose spikes, which is beneficial for controlling diabetes and insulin resistance.
-
Improves insulin sensitivity: Flavonoids in lemons, such as hesperidin and naringenin, have been shown in studies to improve insulin sensitivity. This allows cells to use glucose more efficiently, thus lowering blood sugar levels.
-
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects: Vitamin C and other antioxidants in lemons can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation — factors that contribute to insulin resistance and metabolic disorders. By reducing these factors, regular lemon consumption can help better regulate blood sugar.
CONTINUE READING IN THE NEXT PAGE
