Diabetes

Of the three macronutrients — carbohydrates, protein, and fat — carbs raise blood sugar and insulin levels the most. Even though carbs are an essential part of most balanced, nutritious diets, lower carb diets can be very effective for losing weight and managing diabetes.

Many studieshave confirmed the effectiveness of lower carb eating plans for lowering insulin levels and increasing insulin sensitivity, especially when compared with other diets.

People living with health conditions involving insulin resistance, such as metabolic syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), may experience a dramatic lowering of insulin with carb restriction, according to a 2020 review.

SummaryWhile carbohydrates are typically an important part of a balanced diet, lower carb diets have been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and reduce insulin levels in people living with obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and PCOS.

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) may help prevent insulin and blood sugar spikes after eating, particularly when consumed with high carbohydrate foods.

One 2019 review found that consuming 2–6 teaspoons (10–30 mL) of vinegar daily appears to improve glycemic response to carbohydrate-rich meals. It’s important to note, however, that this review incorporated studies that used other forms of vinegar in addition to ACV.

Another 2021 review of studies specifically targeting ACV analyzed its effect on glycemic control in adults.

Researchers found that consuming ACV significantly decreased fasting blood sugar and HbA1C (a measure of blood sugar over time). However, ACV did not seem to affect fasting insulin levels or insulin resistance.

Similarly, a 2023 clinical trial concluded that daily consumption of ACV may help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar and improve their cholesterol levels.

SummaryVinegar may help ease high blood sugar and insulin levels after meals, particularly when those meals are high in carbs. However, results are mixed and more research is needed — especially around apple cider vinegar in particular.

Your pancreas releases different amounts of insulin depending on the type of food you eat, but eating a large amount of foods that cause your body to produce extra insulin can eventually lead to hyperinsulinemia.

This is of particular concern for people who are already living with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance.

In one small 2017 study, otherwise healthy people classified as having either a “normal” BMI or a higher BMI each ate meals with different glycemic loads for a few days.

Researchers found that while the meals with a higher glycemic load (those with more sugar and carbs) spiked everyone’s blood sugar, the blood sugar of individuals with BMIs in the “obesity” category stayed elevated longer.

Even though calorie restriction has been shown to ease excess insulin levels, it’s a good idea to seek the help of a dietitian or doctor before making any dietary changes to be sure you’re not missing out on any important macro or micronutrients.

SummaryReducing calorie intake can help lower insulin levels in people living with overweight or obesity who have type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome.

Sugar may very well be the most important ingredient to limit and avoid if you’re trying to lower your insulin levels. Diets high in added sugar are associated with insulin resistance and may promote the development of metabolic disease, according to a 2022 review.

In one small study from 2014, otherwise healthy adults consumed jams containing varying amounts of sugar. The adults who consumed high sugar jams saw their insulin levels rise significantly compared with those who ate the lower sugar jams.

Fructose is a type of natural sugar found in:

• table sugar
• honey
• fruit
• corn syrup

While some studies have singled out fructose as particularly harmful for blood sugar control and insulin resistance, there’s not enough evidence to suggest fructose is more harmful than other types of sugars when consumed in moderate amounts.

Indeed, a 2017 study found that replacing glucose or sucrose with fructose actually lowered peak post-meal blood sugar and insulin levels, especially in people with prediabetes or type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

SummaryA high intake of sugar in any form has been shown to increase insulin levels and promote insulin resistance if consumed for a length of time.

Engaging in regular physical activity can have powerful insulin-lowering effects.

Aerobic exercise appears to be very effective at increasing insulin sensitivity in people living with obesity or type 2 diabetes.

One 2021 study examined how blood vessels respond to insulin in a single exercise session in adults with obesity.

Researchers found that after exercising, participants’ blood vessels responded better to insulin. Researchers also noticed the participants had increased blood flow through the capillaries, their bodies were better at using glucose, and some markers of inflammation went down.

There’s also research showing that resistance training can help decrease insulin levels in people with overweight.

More recently, a 2024 study suggests both aerobic and resistance may be helpful for managing type 2 diabetes, but there’s not a big difference between them in terms of their impact. However, this finding needs to be verified by more high quality studies.

Relatedly, a 2022 review found that spending more time sitting, especially in front of screens, was linked to a higher risk of metabolic syndrome. The review notes this link is stronger in women than in men.

Overall, increasing your physical activity can significantly lower your insulin levels.

SummaryAerobic exercise, strength training, or a combination may help lower insulin levels and increase insulin sensitivity.

Cinnamon is a delicious spice loaded with health-promoting antioxidants.

Research suggests that both individuals living with insulin resistance and those with relatively normal insulin levels who supplement with cinnamon may experience enhanced insulin sensitivity and decreased insulin levels.

One 2021 review and meta-analysis found that taking cinnamon supplements reduced insulin resistance in women with PCOS.

A 2019 study notes that improvements in insulin and insulin sensitivity are most pronounced for individuals with higher BMIs.

Similarly, another 2021 review concludes that cinnamon could be promising for improving the metabolic health of women with PCOS. However, researchers suggest that more clinical trials with higher doses of cinnamon and longer study durations are needed to see whether these improvements lead to meaningful changes in clinical outcomes.

It’s important to note that there is no recommended dose of cinnamon that has been tested across the board, and not all studies have found that cinnamon helps lower insulin levels or increases insulin sensitivity.

Cinnamon’s effects may vary from person to person.

SummarySome studies have found that adding cinnamon to foods or beverages lowers insulin levels and increases insulin sensitivity, but results are mixed.

While complex carbs are an important part of a nutritious diet, refined or “simple” carbs don’t usually contain a lot of fiber or micronutrients, and the body digests them very quickly.

Refined carbs include simple sugars and grains that have had the fibrous parts removed. Some examples are:

• cereal with added sugar
• highly processed foods, such as fast food
• foods made with refined flour, like certain breads, pastries, and white rice

Regularly consuming refined carbs can lead to several health issues, including high insulin levels and weight gain.

Furthermore, refined carbs have a high glycemic index (GI). The GI is a scale that measures a specific food’s capacity to raise blood sugar. Glycemic load takes into account a food’s glycemic index and the amount of digestible carbs contained in a serving.

Some studies comparing foods with different glycemic loads have found that eating a food with a high glycemic load raises insulin levels more than eating the same portion of a food with a low glycemic load, even if the carb contents of the two foods are similar.

However, other studies comparing high glycemic load and high GI diets with low glycemic load and low GI diets have found no difference in their effects on insulin levels or insulin sensitivity.

SummaryReplacing refined carbs, which are digested quickly and can sharply raise blood sugar, with slower digesting complex carbs and whole grains may help lower insulin levels.

SummaryAvoiding sitting for prolonged periods and increasing the amount of time you spend walking or doing other moderate activities may help reduce insulin levels.

Intermittent fasting is an eating plan where you have set hours for eating and set hours for fasting during a 24-hour period. It has been popping up in headlines recently, specifically around its possible weight loss benefits.

Research suggests intermittent fasting may help reduce insulin levels as effectively as or more effectively than daily calorie restriction.

For example, a 2019 study compared alternate-day fasting with calorie restriction in adults with overweight or obesity and insulin resistance.

Those using alternate-day fasting for 12 months had greater reductions in fasting insulin and insulin resistance than those who restricted their calorie intake, as well as those in the control group.

That said, a more recent 2023 review concludes there’s very little evidence that intermittent fasting is more effective than daily calorie restriction for insulin sensitivity.

Although many people find intermittent fasting beneficial and enjoyable, it doesn’t work for everyone and may cause problems in some people. A doctor or dietitian can help you figure out whether intermittent fasting is right for you and how to do it safely.

SummaryIntermittent fasting may help reduce insulin levels. However, more research is needed, and this way of eating may not suit everyone.

Soluble fiber provides a number of health benefits, including aiding in weight loss and reducing blood sugar levels.

After you eat, the soluble fiber in food absorbs water and forms a gel, which slowsTrusted Source the movement of food through your digestive tract. This promotes feelings of fullness and keeps your blood sugar and insulin from rising too quickly after a meal.

Soluble fiber also helps feed the friendly bacteria that live in your colon, which may improve gut health and reduce insulin resistance.

In a 6-week study involving postmenopausal women with obesity, those who took flax seed (which contains soluble fiber) experienced greater increases in insulin sensitivity and lower insulin levels than those who took a probiotic or placebo.

Overall, fiber from whole foods appears to be more effective at reducing insulin than fiber in supplement form, although results are mixed. One 2015 study found that insulin decreased when people consumed black beans but not when they took a fiber supplement.

SummarySoluble fiber, especially from whole foods, has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and lower insulin levels, particularly in people living with obesity or type 2 diabetes.

The distribution of fat throughout your body is determined by your age, sex hormones, and genetic variation.

An overabundance of belly fat — also known as visceral or abdominal fat — in particular is linked to many health issues. Visceral fat can promote inflammation and insulin resistance, which drives hyperinsulinemia.

A 2023 study found that visceral fat worsens insulin sensitivity independent of a person’s BMI and subcutaneous fat.

There’s no way to specifically target visceral fat when losing weight. However, visceral fat loss is linked to subcutaneous fat loss, so when you lose weight in general, you’ll likely also lose visceral fat.

Furthermore, studies show that when you lose weight, you lose a higher percentage of visceral fat than fat throughout the rest of your body.

If your doctor has advised you to lose weight, talk with them about the best weight loss program for you.

SummaryIf your doctor advises you to do so, losing visceral fat can increase insulin sensitivity and help reduce your insulin levels. While you can’t target visceral fat specifically, when you lose weight overall, you lose visceral fat as well.

Green tea contains high amounts of an antioxidant known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which may help fight insulin resistance.

In a 2016 study, postmenopausal women living with obesity and high insulin levels who took green tea extract experienced a small decrease in insulin over 12 months, while those who took a placebo had increased insulin levels following the intervention.

In a 2013 review, researchers reported that green tea appeared to significantly lower fasting insulin levels in high-quality studies.

However, other high quality studies on green tea supplementation have not shown a reduction in insulin levels or increased insulin sensitivity.

SummarySeveral studies have found that green tea may increase insulin sensitivity and decrease insulin levels, but results are mixed.

There are many reasons to consume fatty fish like salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring, and anchovies. They provide high quality protein and are some of the best sources of long-chain omega-3 fats, which offer many health benefits.

Studies have shown that the omega-3s in fatty fish may also help reduce insulin resistance in people living with obesity, gestational diabetes, and PCOS.

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, adults can safely consume at least 8 ounces of seafood per week (based on a 2,000-calorie diet). Young children should eat less.

Meanwhile, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding should eat 8–12 ounces of a variety of seafood per week, choosing options that are lower in mercury.

While eating fish is typically recommended over taking supplements for a variety of reasons (more omega-3s aren’t always better, and fish has additional nutrients and vitamins), fish oil supplements are sold widely in stores and are often used in studies.

These supplements contain the same long-chain omega-3 fats as the fish itself, but the effective dosage has not yet been determined.

Despite the need for more research, fish oil has been shown to support healthy blood sugar.

A 2021 review demonstrates that omega-3 supplementation has a significant effect on the reduction of fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance.

SummaryThe long-chain omega-3s in fatty fish may help reduce insulin resistance and insulin levels, especially in those with metabolic disorders. While fish oil supplements are sold widely and often used in studies, the effective dosing has not yet been determined.

Consuming adequate protein at meals can be beneficial for controlling your weight and insulin levels.

In a small study from 2015, premenopausal women with obesity had lower insulin levels after consuming a high-protein breakfast compared with a low-protein breakfast. They also felt fuller and ate fewer calories at lunch.

However, protein stimulates insulin production so your muscles can take up amino acids. Therefore, eating very high protein amounts over a prolonged period may to higher insulin levels in otherwise healthy individuals.

Two studies, one from 2018Trusted Source and another from 2019Trusted Source, sheds some light on these diverging results: When it comes to protein, dietary patterns are important.

For instance, researchers found that individuals who ate a majority of plant proteins were less likely to develop type 2 diabetes, while individuals who ate a lot of protein in the form of red meat had a greater likelihood of having or developing type 2 diabetes.

So while protein is important, eating a variety of protein that’s not overly processed and is nutrient-dense is even more important.

SummaryEating a variety of nutritious protein sources may help with insulin sensitivity, but moderation is key.

Below are some commonly asked questions about lowering insulin levels.

Can drinking a lot of water lower insulin?

If you have diabetes, you require more fluid when blood glucose levels are high. Drinking water enables more glucose to be flushed out of the blood.

However, drinking water won’t directly lower your insulin. Rather, it helps keep your blood sugar levels stable and makes your body better at using insulin.

What foods to avoid when insulin is high?

If your insulin levels are high, try to limit foods with a high glycemic index (GI), as they increase your blood sugar.

Generally speaking, foods that have a GI include:

• potatoes
• breakfast cereals
• white rice
• carbonated drinks

If your doctor has advised you to find ways to lower your insulin levels, they will most likely have a plan to help you accomplish that goal.

Eating fewer refined carbs and sugars, eating more fibrous and nutrient-dense foods, getting enough exercise, and occasionally supplementing with natural helpers like green tea and cinnamon can help you get on track and stay there until you reach that goal.

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