Blood Sugar Support

Nutrients connected to Blood Sugar Support

A link means the body needs the nutrient for this, or that low intake is linked to it. It does not mean extra supplements help if your intake is already adequate; each link shows how strong the evidence is.

• MagnesiumEstablished role

  Magnesium helps the body regulate blood sugar. Research is ongoing and supplements are not currently advised for diabetes prevention or control.

• ChromiumPreliminary or mixed

  Chromium is described as helping insulin work. In trials in type 2 diabetes the results disagree, and MedlinePlus says it is not recommended as the only treatment for diabetes.

• CinnamonPreliminary or mixed

  Supplements lowered fasting blood sugar and HbA1c in a 2024 analysis of trials in type 2 diabetes; NCCIH calls the overall picture unclear.

• FenugreekPreliminary or mixed

  Small trials suggest lower blood sugar markers in type 2 diabetes; quality is mixed.

• Bitter MelonPreliminary or mixed

  Reviews of trials in type 2 diabetes found lower blood glucose and HbA1c in the 2024 review; Cochrane found insufficient evidence.

• Black seedPreliminary or mixed

  Pooled trials in people with metabolic disease found lower fasting glucose and HbA1c, but study quality varied and the authors urge caution. Not a replacement for diabetes care.

• BarberryPreliminary or mixed

  Small trials in type 2 diabetes show lower fasting glucose and HbA1c in some analyses; results are mixed.

• Asian ginsengPreliminary or mixed

  May lower blood sugar; evidence conflicting; caution with diabetes medicines.

• GymnemaPreliminary or mixed

  Small studies report lower blood glucose than at baseline, but studies vary widely and long-term outcomes were not reported; it does not replace diabetes treatment.

• Maqui berryPreliminary or mixed

  Meal-time blood sugar fell in acute studies; long-term effects on HbA1c were modest and inconsistent.

• Stinging nettlePreliminary or mixed

  A meta-analysis found lower fasting blood sugar on average but no significant HbA1c change; results varied widely.

• BerberinePreliminary or mixed

  Small average improvements in blood-sugar markers in type 2 diabetes trials; not shown to prevent complications.

• PsylliumPreliminary or mixed

  Fasting glucose improved in pooled trials in people with type 2 diabetes; evidence is limited.

• MaitakeDocumented risk

  MSK warns that maitake may lower blood sugar and add to diabetes medicines; this is a caution, not an established benefit.

• Mulberry leafPreliminary or mixed

  The leaf's main studied use is blood sugar after meals; evidence is limited and mixed.

• Coptis (goldthread)Preliminary or mixed

  Trials of berberine and Coptis prescriptions report lower blood-sugar measures; long-term outcomes were not shown.

• Irvingia (African mango seed)Documented risk

  May lower blood sugar; MSK advises against use with diabetes medicines because the effect could add up.

• CinnamonPreliminary or mixed

  Supplement trials in type 2 diabetes show lower blood sugar markers; evidence is mixed.

• CuminPreliminary or mixed

  Pooled trials of cumin supplements disagree on blood sugar; evidence is for supplements, not food amounts.

• FenugreekPreliminary or mixed

  Small trials of supplements suggest lower blood sugar markers in type 2 diabetes; quality was mixed.

• Coriander seedPreliminary or mixed

  One trial in type 2 diabetes reported lower fasting glucose with seed powder.

• Guava leafPreliminary or mixed

  Small, short trials reported lower blood sugar after meals; longer-term results were mixed and no pooled analysis of guava leaf alone was found.

• Strawberries, Raspberries & BlackberriesPreliminary or mixed

  Small trials found short-term improvements in insulin and glucose markers with strawberries and red raspberries in adults with prediabetes; observational data for strawberries and diabetes risk showed no link.

• MangoPreliminary or mixed

  Small trials report better fasting glucose or insulin measures; natural sugar is also present. Not proof of treatment.

• DatesPreliminary or mixed

  Mixed results: some lower fasting glucose in a meta-analysis, none in a 12-week randomized trial.

• PomegranatePreliminary or mixed

  A 2024 meta-analysis found small reductions in fasting glucose and HbA1c; NCCIH calls the reduction small. Not a treatment for diabetes.

• SalaciaPreliminary or mixed

  Small short trials suggest a lower after-meal glucose rise and HbA1c, mostly with S. reticulata extracts or tea; larger well-planned studies are needed.

• Vijaysar (Indian kino)Preliminary or mixed

  Traditionally used for blood sugar; the only human data read is one 1998 open trial with no comparison group that showed lower glucose, plus animal studies. Not proven; NCCIH says no herbal supplement has reliable evidence for controlling diabetes.

• Jamun (Java plum seed)Preliminary or mixed

  Small trials show a modest fall in fasting glucose but not in HbA1c; evidence is low certainty.

• OkraPreliminary or mixed

  Pooled small trials of okra products found lower fasting glucose or HbA1c in people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes; certainty is low to very low and it is not a replacement for treatment.

• Nopales (Prickly Pear Pads)Preliminary or mixed

  Small human studies suggest a lower blood sugar response after a meal with nopales; the evidence is limited.

• Dried fenugreek leaf (kasuri methi)Preliminary or mixed

  Small trials of supplements suggest lower blood sugar markers in type 2 diabetes; quality was mixed. Based on seed studies, not dried leaf.

• Gynostemma (Jiaogulan) TeaPreliminary or mixed

  Same tea-product trials; effect on diabetes outcomes over years is not known.

• Ginseng TeaDocumented risk

  May lower blood sugar and add to diabetes medicines (NIH, MSK).

• QuinoaPreliminary or mixed

  Better glucose measures in pooled trials and a one-year trial.

• BuckwheatPreliminary or mixed

  Lower blood glucose in a pooled analysis.

• MilletPreliminary or mixed

  Lower glucose measures in a pooled analysis.

• SorghumPreliminary or mixed

  Lower glucose measures in a pooled analysis.

• Whole-Wheat BreadPreliminary or mixed

  Lower glucose rise after a sugar drink in adults with prediabetes in one controlled crossover trial.

• LentilsPreliminary or mixed

  Pooled trials of pulses as a group found lower fasting glucose and insulin, with large differences between trials. In an 8-week lentil trial insulin resistance rose in the control group and fell with lentils; in a 12-week trial fasting glucose and HbA1c did not differ.

• Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)Preliminary or mixed

  Pooled trials of pulses as a group found lower fasting glucose and insulin, with large differences between trials. Chickpea-specific single-meal trials (12 and 28 studies) found a lower glucose response than potato or wheat, mostly in healthy adults, with low-certainty evidence.

• Split PeasPreliminary or mixed

  Pooled trials of pulses as a group found lower fasting glucose and insulin, with large differences between trials. Bread with split pea flour did not significantly change glucose or insulin in 24 healthy adults.

• Black-Eyed Peas (Cowpeas)Preliminary or mixed

  Pooled trials of pulses as a group found lower fasting glucose and insulin, with large differences between trials. In one small trial of 11 healthy adults, cowpea varieties gave a lower blood sugar response than glucose.

• Navy BeansPreliminary or mixed

  Pooled trials of pulses on fasting glucose and HbA1c-type markers.

• White Beans (Cannellini & Great Northern)Preliminary or mixed

  Pooled trials of pulses on fasting glucose and HbA1c-type markers.

• Lima BeansPreliminary or mixed

  Pooled trials of pulses on fasting glucose and HbA1c-type markers.

• Mung BeansPreliminary or mixed

  Pooled trials of pulses on fasting glucose and HbA1c-type markers.

• Adzuki BeansPreliminary or mixed

  Pooled trials of pulses on fasting glucose and HbA1c-type markers.

• Canned Beans (Drained, Rinsed)Preliminary or mixed

  Pulses lowered fasting glucose and HbA1c-type markers in pooled trials, with high variation.

• Bean & Lentil PastaPreliminary or mixed

  After-meal glucose responses were lower than reference foods in small studies of legume pasta and in larger reviews of whole pulses.

• Idli & DosaPreliminary or mixed

  Same study: high glycemic index and load for traditional rice idli.

• Soda & Diet SodaPreliminary or mixed

  Cohort studies link sugar-sweetened soda with type 2 diabetes incidence.

• ChyawanprashDocumented risk

  The sugar and honey content is why reviewers call it generally contraindicated in diabetes; ask a clinician.

• Acacia HoneyDocumented risk

  Honey is a sugar food; mixed trial results mean people managing blood sugar should ask a clinician.

• Black Seed Oil (Nigella)Preliminary or mixed

  Pooled trials of swallowed black seed show lower fasting glucose and HbA1c on average, with variable results.

• Vitamin B6Established role

  B6 helps keep blood sugar in normal ranges as part of normal metabolism. This does not show that supplements treat blood sugar problems.

• Alpha-lipoic acidPreliminary or mixed

  Reviews disagree on whether it lowers blood sugar markers, and the average changes were small. Rarely, it has been linked to low blood sugar through insulin autoimmune syndrome.

• Polyphenols: quercetin and resveratrolPreliminary or mixed

  Resveratrol evidence in type 2 diabetes is mixed and low-certainty.

• Akkermansia, Faecalibacterium and next-generation probioticsPreliminary or mixed

  Insulin sensitivity improved in a 2019 pilot but not in the 2026 trial main result.

• Prebiotic fibresPreliminary or mixed

  Only resistant starch has been reviewed for glucose control, with a small effect on fasting glucose.

• Milk ThistlePreliminary or mixed

  A small number of human studies, mostly from Middle Eastern countries, suggest milk thistle extracts may help control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes. It is unclear whether results apply elsewhere.

• GarlicPreliminary or mixed

  NCCIH says supplements may modestly lower blood sugar in people with diabetes.

• BilberryPreliminary or mixed

  Trials give a borderline HbA1c reduction; evidence is early. People on diabetes medicines should ask first.

• Olive leafPreliminary or mixed

  Results on blood sugar are mixed: one positive trial, one inconclusive pilot.

• SchisandraPreliminary or mixed

  One placebo-controlled trial of a schisandra-soybean mixture lowered glucose markers; not schisandra alone.

• American ginsengPreliminary or mixed

  A small trial in adults with type 2 diabetes found modest drops in HbA1c and fasting glucose. Larger studies are still needed.

• Holy basil (tulsi)Preliminary or mixed

  A small trial reported lower blood glucose in type 2 diabetes.

• MoringaPreliminary or mixed

  Used traditionally for blood sugar. One small trial of leaf capsules found lower glucose and HbA1c in prediabetes, but pooled analyses are mixed and the 2025 one found no significant effect.

• Yerba matePreliminary or mixed

  Two prediabetes trials found lower after-meal glucose and HbA1c; other glucose and fat markers did not change.

• CordycepsDocumented risk

  MSK says cordyceps may add to the effect of insulin and other blood-sugar medicines; clinical relevance unknown.

• King oyster mushroomPreliminary or mixed

  One small crossover study of a king oyster meal in 19 adults with obesity found a lower glucose curve than a matched control meal; it was one meal, so it does not show treatment or prevention of diabetes.

• Almond mushroom (Agaricus subrufescens)Preliminary or mixed

  One 12-week trial of 72 adults on gliclazide and metformin found a lower insulin-resistance score; it is a single small trial of a lab index.

• Poria (fu ling)Preliminary or mixed

  Same formula-trial evidence as for blood sugar balance.

• Prickly pear (nopal)Preliminary or mixed

  Small, short human studies report lower after-meal glucose; evidence is limited and not proof of benefit.

• Monk fruitPreliminary or mixed

  FDA says high-intensity sweeteners generally will not raise blood sugar levels, and a 2025 review of 5 short trials reported smaller blood sugar rises after meals. It is not shown to treat diabetes.

• Caterpillar fungusDocumented risk

  MSK says cordyceps may add to the blood-sugar-lowering effect of insulin and other diabetes medicines; clinical importance is not known.

• Bay leafPreliminary or mixed

  One small 30-day trial of bay leaf capsules in 40 adults with type 2 diabetes reported lower blood sugar; no larger trial was found and it is not about bay leaf in cooking.

• Black seed (nigella)Preliminary or mixed

  Supplement trials found lower fasting glucose and HbA1c on average; quality varied.

• King tuber mushroomLab or animal research only

  Diabetic rabbit study only.

• Dill seedPreliminary or mixed

  Insulin markers changed in small supplement trials.

• SumacPreliminary or mixed

  Mixed trial results for blood sugar markers with powder or supplements.

• SpirulinaPreliminary or mixed

  Mixed results for blood glucose in two diabetes trials.

• YaconPreliminary or mixed

  Post-meal glucose and insulin fell in one crossover trial; pooled fasting glucose showed no significant effect.

• Bitter leafPreliminary or mixed

  Animal studies report glucose lowering; in a small human test a single leaf decoction did not significantly lower blood sugar. No long-term human trial was found.

• GrapesPreliminary or mixed

  Cohort data link grapes to lower type 2 diabetes risk; trial results on glucose markers are mixed.

• Citrus Fruits (overview)Preliminary or mixed

  Juices (not whole fruit) were linked in cohort studies to type 2 diabetes risk; 100% juice showed no significant link.

• Tart CherriesDocumented risk

  Juice and concentrate contain sugar; the NHS counts unsweetened juice as free sugars, so people with diabetes or prediabetes can ask a clinician before drinking it regularly.

• JackfruitPreliminary or mixed

  One small trial of green jackfruit flour lowered HbA1c in type 2 diabetes; ripe fruit has about 19 g of sugars per 100 g and was not tested.

• RaisinsPreliminary or mixed

  One small trial found lower after-meal glucose when raisins replaced processed snacks in type 2 diabetes; HbA1c and fasting glucose did not differ significantly. Raisins are also high in sugar.

• KalePreliminary or mixed

  One small trial of a freeze-dried kale bar lowered HbA1c in type 2 diabetes; the amount was very large and one trial is not enough.

• Indian bay leaf (tej patta)Lab or animal research only

  Rats made diabetic had lower blood glucose after a leaf extract or leaf oil; no human trial of tej patta was found.

• PotatoesPreliminary or mixed

  Observational and small trial evidence on potatoes and blood sugar is mixed and depends on cooking method.

• Lycium root bark (di gu pi)Lab or animal research only

  Animal findings only for blood sugar; no human trial of the bark was found.

• KimchiPreliminary or mixed

  Fasting glucose and insulin resistance improved in small crossover trials; findings are preliminary.

• Sesame seedPreliminary or mixed

  Pooled trials report lower HbA1c with sesame products; form not stated.

• Garlic powderPreliminary or mixed

  Supplements may lower blood sugar slightly in people with diabetes.

• PistachiosPreliminary or mixed

  Lower fasting glucose and insulin in a meta-analysis of 8 trials in people at high cardiovascular risk.

• ChestnutsPreliminary or mixed

  A 14-person crossover trial of chestnut flour bread found a 27% lower glucose response after one meal.

• Nut & Seed Butters (overview)Preliminary or mixed

  Observational data link nut and peanut butter intake to lower type 2 diabetes risk in women; not proof.

• FlaxseedPreliminary or mixed

  Lower glucose, insulin and HbA1c in a meta-analysis in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

• Pumpkin SeedsPreliminary or mixed

  Same single-meal trial in healthy adults.

• Sesame Seeds & TahiniPreliminary or mixed

  Lower HbA1c in pooled trials of sesame products.

• Yerba MatePreliminary or mixed

  Two prediabetes trials suggested lower after-meal glucose and HbA1c; needs confirming.

• Chamomile TeaPreliminary or mixed

  One trial linked the tea to a lower HbA1c.

• Cinnamon TeaPreliminary or mixed

  Same evidence as above.

• Black Seed Oil (Nigella)Preliminary or mixed

  Small average drops in fasting glucose and HbA1c in pooled trials of supplements.

• Mulberry Leaf TeaPreliminary or mixed

  Same small tea-blend trials of post-meal glucose.

• OatsPreliminary or mixed

  Small effects on fasting and post-load glucose in short trials; no effect on HbA1c in a longer one.

• Brown RicePreliminary or mixed

  Observational link to lower diabetes risk; short trials show no clear blood sugar change.

• RyePreliminary or mixed

  Insulin response after meals was lower with rye foods than wheat foods.

• Whole Wheat & Wheat BerriesPreliminary or mixed

  Cohort studies link whole-grain intake with lower type 2 diabetes risk; this is association only.

• SpeltPreliminary or mixed

  Cohort studies link whole-grain intake with lower type 2 diabetes risk; this is association only.

• Farro (Emmer)Preliminary or mixed

  Cohort studies link whole-grain intake with lower type 2 diabetes risk; this is association only. Not farro-specific.

• Khorasan Wheat (Kamut)Preliminary or mixed

  Cohort studies link whole-grain intake with lower type 2 diabetes risk; this is association only.

• BulgurPreliminary or mixed

  Cohort studies link whole-grain intake with lower type 2 diabetes risk; this is association only.

• FreekehPreliminary or mixed

  Cohort studies link whole-grain intake with lower type 2 diabetes risk; this is association only. Not freekeh-specific.

• Black BeansPreliminary or mixed

  Pooled trials show lower fasting glucose and after-meal glucose responses for pulses as a group.

• Kidney BeansPreliminary or mixed

  Pooled trials show lower fasting glucose and after-meal glucose responses for pulses as a group.

• Pinto BeansPreliminary or mixed

  Pooled trials show lower fasting glucose and after-meal glucose responses for pulses as a group.

• HummusPreliminary or mixed

  A small trial found a low glycemic index for hummus; long-term effects are not shown.

• CarobPreliminary or mixed

  Small trials of syrup or concentrate improved glucose markers.

• Chickpea Flour (Besan)Preliminary or mixed

  Lower glucose response after chickpea meals in small studies.

• Extra Virgin Olive OilPreliminary or mixed

  Lower insulin resistance scores in trials.

• Safflower OilPreliminary or mixed

  One small trial in women with type 2 diabetes found lower HbA1c.

• Sesame OilPreliminary or mixed

  One open-label study with glibenclamide; review certainty very low.

• Walnut & Other Nut OilsPreliminary or mixed

  HbA1c and fasting sugar fell in one trial.

• CoffeePreliminary or mixed

  Observational link to lower type 2 diabetes risk.

• Decaf CoffeePreliminary or mixed

  Observational link to lower type 2 diabetes risk.

• Energy DrinksDocumented risk

  CDC links sugary drinks with type 2 diabetes; USDA lists about 26 g sugars per can.

• Orange JuicePreliminary or mixed

  Sugar content is high for a drink, and an observational link with type 2 diabetes risk was reported.

• Apple JuicePreliminary or mixed

  Sugar-rich drink; an observational link with type 2 diabetes risk was reported for fruit juice.

• Pomegranate JuicePreliminary or mixed

  Small drop in fasting glucose and HbA1c in pooled trials of pomegranate in many forms.

• Alcohol-Free Beer & WinePreliminary or mixed

  Glucose and insulin responses differed by non-alcoholic beer type in one 4-week study.

• Withania Coagulans (Indian Cheesemaker)Preliminary or mixed

  The only human studies found concern blood sugar in type 2 diabetes; they are small and preliminary.

• Cynomorium (Suo Yang)Lab or animal research only

  Animal and cell findings only.

• Goji BerryPreliminary or mixed

  Pooled trials found lower fasting glucose; limited evidence.

• Sea Grapes (Umibudo)Preliminary or mixed

  Same small noodle study; whole sea grapes were not tested.

• Clover HoneyPreliminary or mixed

  Honey is a sugar; pooled marker changes were small and low certainty.

• Eucalyptus HoneyDocumented risk

  Honey is sugar; a review of honey in general found mixed blood-sugar markers.

• PropolisPreliminary or mixed

  Meta-analyses report lower fasting glucose in people with metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes.

• Joint Formulas (Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM, Turmeric)Documented risk

  Glucosamine may raise blood sugar in some people; evidence is mixed.

• Energy and Focus BlendsDocumented risk

  Sugar in many energy drinks can worsen diabetes (MedlinePlus).

Explore all vitamins → · Minerals → · Amino acids → · Omega fatty acids → · Antioxidants → · Gut supplements → · Nootropics → · Herbs →