This dry spice from your mum's masala box helps regulate cholesterol and blood sugar

Key Highlights

• Often used in tadka, tej patta is famed for its fragrance, flavour and medicinal properties
• Diabetic patients often struggle with fluctuating blood sugar levels that often go abnormally high
• Consuming 1-3 grams of bay leaves per day for a 30-days period helped in lowering blood sugar

New Delhi: Modern day lifestyles have caused several health disorders and conditions that warrant urgent attention. With more people developing obesity, diabetes and bad cholesterol levels, the incidence of health problems has grown drastically over the years. And while pharmacists and physicians continue to offer medical support for relief from symptoms, only a few turn to natural remedies like introducing diet alterations. And in an Indian household, where the kitchen is without a doubt the most fragrant corner, one never realises how the solution to spiking blood sugar and cholesterol can be managed with just some basic ingredients – some of them hidden in the spice box.

The box of health benefits

Your mum’s spice box could be small, yet special trove of treasure full of flavours and even health benefits. The little contains within that contain essentials like salt, turmeric, coriander, cumin and even amchur also house dry spices like black peppercorns, cloves, green and black cardamom and other masalas that enhance the flavour and nutrient profile of your meals that include vegetables, curries, pulaos and meat. While these spices are blessed with properties of better immunity and metabolism, there’s one that regulates blood sugar and cholesterol like no other – tej patta (bay leaf).

Often used in tadka, tej patta is famed for its fragrance, flavour and medicinal properties. Enriched with essential minerals, tej patta houses vitamin A and C, folic acid, calcium, magnesium and potassium. And for those struggling with diabetes and cholesterol, a touch of this spice could work wonders. Several studies published over the years reveal how much bay leaf intake can impact blood sugar levels.

Tej patta for blood sugar management

Diabetes is a chronic condition that develops over time and often goes unnoticed. When you consume too much of refined or simple sugars that break easily into the bloodstream, the pancreas releases insulin to regulate the same. However, over time, your body can become either insulin resistant or the pancreas might fail to produce the required amount – thereby resulting in diabete

Tej patta for cholesterol

A heart-friendly spice, bay leaves contain organic compounds like caffeic acid and rutin that strengthen capillary walls and regulate cholesterol levels – increase good cholesterol levels and eliminate bad cholesterol levels.

s.s.

vomiting in pregnancy

1. Try Changing Eating Patterns

• For morning nausea, eat toast, cereal, crackers, or other dry foods before getting out of bed.
• Eat cheese, lean meat, or other high-protein snack before bedtime.
• Sip fluids, such as clear fruit juices, water, or ice chips, throughout day. Don’t drink lots of fluid at one time.
• Eat small meals or snacks every two to three hours instead of three large meals per day.
• Don’t eat fried, greasy, or spicy foods.
• Avoid foods with strong odors that are bothersome. Or eat foods cold or at room temperature.

Your Blood Pressure Reading?

01/6Several things influence your blood pressure

For those suffering from hypertension, keeping a track of their blood pressure is crucial. This helps them monitor their heart health and thereby lower the risk of heart attack and stroke by taking medication whenever required. But to get an accurate number, it is crucial to take the reading at the right time and the right way. Several factors can cause blood pressure to rise and fall that includes your meal timing and the types of food you eat. Keep reading to know how eating and your food choices affect your blood pressure reading.

02/6​Measuring blood pressure after your meal

Our blood pressure tends to take a slight dip after meals. That's because after eating food, our body gets busy redirecting the blood to the digestive tract to help in the digestion process. This diversion of blood pressure may lead to a temporary decrease in the blood pressure in other parts of the body. To compensate for this change, the blood vessels in other parts of the body constrict, causing your heart to beat faster and with more pressure to maintain a healthy blood pressure level throughout the body.

03/6​What happens when blood pressure does not drop?

In some people, the blood pressure does not drop after meals because the blood vessels outside of the digestive system do not constrict. This condition is referred to as postprandial hypotension or low blood pressure after eating. The symptoms of postprandial hypotension include lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, chest pain, vision disruption and nausea. Staying in a fasted state for long periods can also cause a drop in blood pressure.

04/6​What you eat also matters

If you are dealing with the issue of hypertension, you must also be careful about the kind of food you add to your diet. Some foods may elevate your blood pressure level and regular intake of such food possesses a long term risk. High intake of salt and saturated fat are linked with hypertension. So, it is best to have them in moderation. To stay healthy and fit add more protein, fiber, potassium and magnesium to your diet.

05/6​​How to get an accurate reading at home

Our blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day depending on the food we eat or the activities we perform. To get the correct reading, here are a few things that you must keep in mind.

Do not smoke or drink alcohol, or exercise for at least 30 minutes before taking the reading.

Make sure your bladder is empty while measuring the blood pressure

Sit with your back straight, legs uncrossed, and both feet flat on the floor. Rest the arm on a flat surface in a way that the upper arm is in line with the heart.

Rest comfortably for 5 minutes before taking a reading.

Place the monitor’s cuff on the upper arm.

Take two or three readings at 1-minute intervals

06/6​Normal blood pressure reading

The blood pressure monitoring machine displays two numbers, systolic (the top number) and diastolic (the bottom number). The systolic number represents the pressure when the heart is contracting while the diastolic reading depicts the pressure of the blood when the heart muscles relax. The blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mm Hg). As per the American Heart Association, there are five blood pressure categories.

Normal: Less than 120/80 mm Hg

Elevated: Systolic from 120 to 129 mm Hg and diastolic less than 80 mm Hg diastolic.

Hypertension Stage 1: Systolic ranging from 130 to 139 mm Hg or diastolic 80 to 89 mm Hg.

Hypertension Stage 2: Constantly at 140 mm Hg systolic or 90 mm Hg diastolic or higher.

Hypertensive Crisis: If the reading is higher than 180/120 mm Hg.

A hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency and requires immediate medical attention. In this condition, the blood vessel becomes inflamed and may leak fluid or blood. This makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood effectively, which leads to heart stroke or heart attack.