Sugar cravings are real – after all that hit of dopamine makes us feel good .
But we all know that eating too much sugar ultimately through neuroplasticity, helps to rewire the brain, sending us down the dangerous path of wanting more and more sugar.
Today CMR is sharing with you five herbs you can use to fight your sugar cravings. P.S. Consult with your physician, prior to introducing any new foods or herbs in to your diet.
Elecampane
Elecampane, while it is not exactly a herb, it is a root that has been used for many years by herbalist to treat a myriad of conditions. There is evidence that it lowers blood glucose levels. The root has a high insulin content which has potential benefits for people with blood sugar issues, such as type II diabetes. Elecampane slows down sugar metabolism, reducing harmful blood glucose spikes that contribute to insulin resistance. A side effect of elecampane is that it can make you very sleepy.
Gymnema
Gymnema has a real effect on your taste buds known for its sweetness-blunting effect. A cup of this tea or even chewing the leaves can literally slow your craving. A 2011 study found that gymnema leaves contained a peptide called gurmarin, which binds to the sweet and bitter receptors on the tongue, blocking the taste of glucose and sucrose sugars.
Fenugreek
Lessen those cravings with fenugreek. This herb primarily grown in Africa and India is known to regulate blood sugar and improve insulin levels. Usually unregulated blood sugar levels increase the desire for sugary foods, you know the main ones bread, pasta, chocolate. Due to fenugreek glucose-regulating properties, it may help to decreased sugar cravings due to its ability to help improve glucose control.
Berberine
This plant gets to the root of things, Berberine, which produces Berberis, is known to reduce sugar cravings by regulating blood sugar.
Berberis works by decreasing insulin resistance, which lowers the hormone, assisting to fight cravings at the level of the bloodstream.
Berberine is said to work in a similar fashion as the prescription medication metformin.
Echinacea
This herb can keep blood sugar levels stable, keep blood sugar from either spiking or plummeting. Often made as a tea, the herb works by helping the body to normalize its response to sugar, this happens by suppressing the enzymes that digest carbohydrates. As a result, this herb can be super helpful in keep sugar levels stable. Echinacea tea and makes you less likely to crave a soda or any other type of sugary product that may result from a drop in blood glucose levels.
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