What foods contain insulin?
Disease description:
Uncle developed diabetes due to years of unhealthy lifestyle habits and now needs to take insulin injections daily. However, I would like to ask here, what foods contain insulin?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Food itself does not directly contain insulin, a hormone that is actually a protein secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas. Insulin mainly functions to regulate blood glucose levels in the body. A balanced diet combined with appropriate physical activity can help control blood sugar levels and reduce the need for exogenous insulin. Diabetic patients are advised to follow these dietary principles:
1. Vegetables: Such as celery, leeks, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, bitter melon, cucumber, and tomato. These vegetables are rich in dietary fiber and multiple vitamins, which help improve insulin resistance and promote insulin secretion or utilization. Bitter melon, especially, contains substances such as momordicoside, which is believed to have significant blood glucose-lowering effects.
2. Mushrooms: Such as Hericium erinaceus, common mushroom, flower mushroom, and shiitake mushroom. These mushroom foods are not only nutritious but also contain active ingredients that can help regulate blood sugar levels.
3. Whole Grains: Such as sorghum, millet, buckwheat, and oatmeal. Whole grains are rich in dietary fiber, various vitamins, and minerals, which help control blood sugar levels and provide a feeling of fullness, thus assisting in weight management.
