Want to reduce your blood sugar? Two tablespoons of this superfood can do wonders

When you eat food, your body breaks it down into glucose and releases it into your bloodstream. Your pancreas releases insulin, a hormone that helps glucose get into your cells to be used for energy. Blood sugar, also known as blood glucose, is the amount of glucose in your blood. Glucose is a sugar that comes from the food you eat and is your body's primary source of energy.

A blood sugar test measures the amount of glucose in your blood. A normal blood sugar level is 72 to 108 mg/dL. Blood sugar levels that are too high or too low can cause a variety of side effects, such as hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Elevated blood sugar levels can be caused by a number of things, including diabetes, missing insulin doses, or taking certain medicines. Hyperglycemia can be also caused by eating too much food or the wrong foods, not taking diabetes medicines correctly, not getting physical activity, and stress. However, some research suggests that apple cider vinegar may help lower blood sugar. If you want to try it, mix 1 teaspoon of the vinegar with a glass of water. Apple cider vinegar is a food ingredient that has long been used as a folk remedy. It contains modest amounts of probiotics, bacteria-killing acetic acid, and antioxidants. Some studies have found it may help people lose weight and lower their blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Benefits of apple cider vinegar : Apple cider vinegar, made by fermenting the juice of crushed apples, can be used for many purposes, including cooking and cleaning. Consuming apple cider vinegar offers several health benefits including helping manage certain health conditions. Drinking apple cider vinegar helps manage weight, diabetes, and heart health. Not just that, applying apple cider vinegar to the skin may help reduce the appearance of varicose veins.

Drinking 1 ounce of apple cider vinegar daily may reduce triglycerides and total cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol. In people with obesity or type 2 diabetes, even a half ounce of apple cider vinegar daily may lower triglycerides and total cholesterol.

Although consuming apple cider vinegar every day in the short term to manage certain health conditions may be safe, research has suggested that using apple cider vinegar orally for up to 12 weeks can be safe. However, long-term oral use of apple cider vinegar may pose risks of muscle damage, constipation, even osteoporosis.

Causes of hyperglycemia: Hyperglycemia can be cause by several factors, like --

Lifestyle factors: Eating too much or the wrong foods, not exercising, or not taking diabetes medication correctly.

Stress: Emotional stress from family problems or work issues can contribute to hyperglycemia.

Sickness: An illness like a cold can trigger hyperglycemia.

Medications: Some medications, like corticosteroids, thiazide diuretics, beta-blockers, and antipsychotics, can cause hyperglycemia.

Pancreas conditions: Chronic pancreatitis, hemochromatosis, pancreatic cancer, and cystic fibrosis can destroy the pancreas and cause hyperglycemia.
Endocrine disorders: Conditions like Cushing's syndrome, acromegaly, and pheochromocytoma can cause insulin resistance and hyperglycemia.

Pregnancy: Gestational diabetes occurs in 4% of pregnancies and is primarily due to decreased insulin sensitivity.

Hyperglycemia can develop slowly over a few days or weeks, and in some cases there may be no symptoms until blood sugar levels are very high. Hyperglycemia occurs when there isn't enough insulin or insulin doesn't work properly, which prevents the body from using sugar for energy.
Side effects of hyperglycemia: Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, can cause a number of side effects, such as --

Frequent urination: You may need to urinate more often than usual.

Excessive thirst: You may feel extremely thirsty and drink a lot of water.

Weight loss: You may lose weight without trying to.

Tiredness: You may feel tired, listless, or have a noticeable loss of energy.

Blurred vision: Your vision may be blurred.

Recurrent infections: You may be more likely to get infections, such as urinary tract infections, skin infections, or thrush.

Nausea and stomach pain: You may experience nausea and stomach pain.

Neurologic symptoms: You may experience lethargy, altered mental status, or focal neurologic deficits.

Diabetic ketoacidosis: You may experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and a fruity odor to your breath.

Chronic hyperglycemia can lead to serious and irreversible complications. It can lead to loss of consciousness or seizures if left untreated, long-term complications such as heart disease, kidney problems, and eye damage as well. Lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and dietary changes can help you live a healthy life with diabetes.