"Lao Wang, you see that at our age, all kinds of diseases have come to the door. Recently my blood sugar has risen again, which is a real headache! Sister Li said as she cut the tomatoes in her hand into small pieces and prepared to eat them as snacks.

"I've heard that it's important to control your diet and that eating tomatoes can lower your blood sugar, do you want to try this method?" Lao Wang asked with concern.

"Yes, it was said on the Internet that eating raw tomatoes can lower blood sugar, so I wanted to try it. Do you think this will work? Sister Li looked at him expectantly.

"On this issue, we should still follow the advice of doctors, not just on the Internet." Lao Wang shook his head, looking a little hesitant.

"You're right. Then let's go to the hospital today and ask the doctor to see if eating raw tomatoes will raise blood sugar or lower blood sugar? By the way, what are the other good ways to lower blood sugar? Sister Li slapped her thigh and decided.

Does eating raw tomatoes really lower blood sugar?

Tomatoes are not only attractive in color, but also very nutritious, rich in vitamin C, potassium, dietary fiber and precious lycopene, which has multiple benefits such as antioxidant and cardiovascular protection. But what exactly is the truth when it comes to lowering blood sugar?

Let's be clear: tomatoes themselves are low-sugar, low-calorie foods that have a relatively small impact on blood sugar.

Eating raw tomatoes, due to their rich fiber, can help slow down the rate of gastric emptying, and theoretically have a certain auxiliary effect on controlling the rise in blood sugar after meals. But this does not mean that it can directly lower blood sugar, let alone replace hypoglycemic drugs!

Interestingly, lycopene in cooked tomatoes is more easily absorbed by the body than when eaten raw, and this substance has been found in studies to be associated with improved insulin resistance, indirectly helping with blood sugar management.

In short, if you're looking to regulate your blood sugar through diet, you might want to try cooking tomatoes before eating them.

Nutritional value of tomatoes

Rich in vitamin C: Tomatoes are a treasure trove of vitamin C, containing about 15 mg of vitamin C per 0 grams of raw tomatoes. Vitamin C not only boosts immunity and promotes iron absorption, but also aids in wound healing and is an indispensable nutrient for the body.

Antioxidants: Lycopene, which is abundant in tomatoes, is a powerful natural antioxidant that far exceeds vitamin E and carotenoids. It can effectively remove free radicals in the body, prevent cancer, cardiovascular diseases and other chronic diseases, and at the same time, it can also beautify the skin and delay aging.

Potassium: Tomatoes are also a good source of potassium, which plays an important role in maintaining heart health and controlling blood pressure. Moderate potassium intake may reduce the risk of high blood pressure.

Dietary fiber: Tomatoes are rich in dietary fiber, which can promote intestinal peristalsis, improve digestive function, and reduce cholesterol absorption to a certain extent, reducing the risk of intestinal cancer.

If you want to lower your blood sugar, eat these 4 foods regularly

Since eating raw tomatoes has a limited effect on lowering blood sugar, what are the foods that can really help lower blood sugar?

Green leafy vegetables: natural hypoglycemic drugs

Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, and lettuce are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals, and are low in calories and have a strong sense of satiety, making them ideal for blood sugar control. They can effectively slow down the rate of gastric emptying, reduce the absorption of sugar, and become a "good helper for reducing sugar" on the table.

Whole grains: Sugar stabilizing assistants

Whole grains such as oats, brown rice, and whole-grain bread are rich in complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber, which are slow to digest and help keep blood sugar stable. Replace some of the refined rice noodles with these foods to make the diet more "coarse" and your blood sugar will be more obedient!

Legumes: The double benefit of plant-based protein

Beans such as soybeans, black beans, and red beans are not only high in protein, but also rich in dietary fiber and phytochemicals, which can effectively reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and have a positive effect on blood sugar regulation. Eat some legumes every day, and your health will be more guaranteed.

Nuts: Small in stature, big energy

Walnuts, almonds, cashews and other nuts are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, protein, fiber and a variety of trace elements. But remember, although nuts are good, they are not low in calories, and a small handful a day is enough.

Returning to the conversation between Sister Li and Lao Wang, after some consultation, the doctor's explanation made them suddenly realize: it turns out that it is not reliable to reduce blood sugar by eating raw tomatoes alone, and it is more important to have a balanced diet, eat more of the above four recommended foods, combined with moderate exercise and regular work and rest, which is the long-term solution to control blood sugar.

"It seems that in the future, we must pay attention to the food combination, and we can't listen to it and believe it!" Sister Li said with emotion.

"Yes, health problems still have to be treated scientifically, let's work together!" Lao Wang patted Sister Li's shoulder, and the two looked at each other and smiled, their hearts full of yearning for a healthy life.

Disclaimer: The content of the article is for reference only, and the storyline is purely fictional, intended to popularize health knowledge. If you feel unwell, please seek medical attention offline.