Blood Sugar Balance

Nutrients connected to Blood Sugar Balance

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.

• Vitamin B3 (niacin)Documented risk

  Too much niacin can raise blood glucose, so people with diabetes should ask a clinician before high doses.

• ChromiumPreliminary or mixed

  Two reviews of trials in type 2 diabetes disagree: one found lower fasting glucose and HbA1c, the other only a lower HbA1c. Evidence in people without diabetes is not established.

• CinnamonPreliminary or mixed

  Trials of cinnamon supplements in adults with type 2 diabetes show lower blood sugar markers, but NCCIH says it is unclear whether cinnamon helps and results depend on species. Not a replacement for diabetes care.

• FenugreekPreliminary or mixed

  A 2023 review of small trials found lower fasting glucose and HbA1c in people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, but NCCIH says many studies were low quality.

• Bitter MelonPreliminary or mixed

  Trials in people with type 2 diabetes found lower blood glucose in a 2024 review, but an older Cochrane review found no significant difference. Evidence is limited.

• 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, but results across adults are mixed. Larger trials are needed.

• Asian ginsengPreliminary or mixed

  Some evidence it may lower blood sugar, but findings conflict and it can add to diabetes medicine effects.

• 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

  In short trials maqui lowered blood sugar after a meal. Long-term effects were small and inconsistent, so it is not shown to help blood sugar control over time.

• Stinging nettlePreliminary or mixed

  Small trials show lower fasting blood sugar on average; not proof of better long-term control.

• Vitamin B6Established role

  B6 helps keep blood sugar in normal ranges as part of normal metabolism; supplement benefit for blood sugar was not reviewed.

• SeleniumDocumented risk

  A 2018 review found selenium supplements slightly raised the risk of type 2 diabetes in trials (about 11 percent relative, borderline). This is a caution, not a benefit.

• TaurinePreliminary or mixed

  The 2026 meta-analysis of 34 trials reported lower fasting glucose, HbA1c and insulin resistance; the 2020 analysis found no effect on fasting glucose. Evidence is mixed.

• Alpha-lipoic acidPreliminary or mixed

  Reviews of trials in type 2 diabetes disagree: one found lower fasting glucose and HbA1c, another found the changes too small to matter clinically.

• Polyphenols: quercetin and resveratrolPreliminary or mixed

  Resveratrol results in type 2 diabetes are mixed: one meta-analysis found lower fasting glucose, a Cochrane review could not tell.

• Akkermansia, Faecalibacterium and next-generation probioticsPreliminary or mixed

  Insulin sensitivity improved in a small 2019 pilot but not in the main result of a 2026 trial; only exploratory subgroups (prediabetes, older age, low baseline Akkermansia) improved. Not enough to claim blood-sugar support.

• Prebiotic fibresPreliminary or mixed

  Resistant starch gave a small fall in fasting glucose in a review of 19 trials. This does not apply to every prebiotic fibre.

• 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 garlic supplements may lower blood sugar to a small extent in people with diabetes. It is a lab-number change, not shown to improve diabetes outcomes.

• BilberryPreliminary or mixed

  A 2025 meta-analysis found a borderline fall in HbA1c but no clear change in fasting glucose. More long-term trials are needed.

• Olive leafPreliminary or mixed

  One trial found lower HbA1c in type 2 diabetes, a later pilot was inconclusive and a combination product showed no effect in prediabetes.

• SchisandraPreliminary or mixed

  One placebo-controlled trial of a schisandra-soybean mixture lowered glucose and insulin markers in adults with mildly raised glucose; schisandra alone has not been shown to do this.

• American ginsengPreliminary or mixed

  One small crossover trial of 24 adults with type 2 diabetes on usual treatment found lower HbA1c and fasting glucose with an extract. It is a single small study and is not a replacement for diabetes care.

• Rhaponticum (maral root)Lab or animal research only

  An extract lowered blood glucose in mice with type 2 diabetes. No human trial was found, so this does not show a benefit for people.

• Holy basil (tulsi)Preliminary or mixed

  A small single-blind trial in type 2 diabetes reported lower glucose. Evidence is limited; ask a clinician if you use diabetes medicines.

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