Mother nature gives us effective healing options with herbs and superfoods. Check out these easily available foods that help reduce blood sugar.

Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high blood sugar levels, either due to the pancreas' inability to produce enough insulin, or the cells of the body, not responding to the insulin produced.

An Inactive lifestyle and an excess of calorie consumption is one of the main causes of diabetes. When uncontrolled, it may cause other complications like heart diseases, stroke, kidney failure, foot ulcers and eye damage.

Weight management, exercise, and following a diabetes diet - low in simple sugar, fibre rich and high in protein, helps manage sugar levels. Here are 4 foods that are extremely beneficial in reducing high blood sugar.

1. Quinoa is rich in protein, dietary fibre and B vitamins making it an excellent food to eat in diabetes.

Try having a quinoa salad, quinoa khichdi or simply swap it with rice, and enjoy it with daal, rajma, chhole, rasam etc.

2. Fenugreek or Methi Seeds contain Trigonelline, an alkaloid known to reduce blood sugar and manage diabetes.

Grind the methi seeds into a fine powder and store it in an airtight container. Have half - one teaspoon on an empty stomach, along with water.

3. Bitter Gourd or Karela contains polypeptide-P, which mimics the insulin produced by the human pancreas, and helps reduce blood sugar levels.

The juice of 1 small karela, when had on an empty stomach works wonders. Karela sabzi is a good option for lunch, but try avoiding it during dinner as it may cause hypoglycaemia.

4. Apart from Omega-3 fatty acids, Flaxseeds contain both soluble and insoluble fibre that keep you full for longer and help reduce blood sugar levels.

Nutrients are better absorbed when flaxseeds are ground or crushed. Add a spoon full of it to your buttermilk, or just sprinkle it on your salad or yogurt.

Apart from these, monitoring your blood glucose levels, having low GI foods, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and protein rich meals and snacks, help manage diabetes in the long run.