Hypoglycemic Potential of Supplementation with a Vegetable and Legume Juice Formula in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Hypoglycemic Potential of Supplementation with a Vegetable and Legume Juice Formula in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: Background and Objective: Type 2 diabetes affects a large number of people all over the world; hence, it is worthy to supplement those patients with a food formula containing biologically active ingredients that can help to control the disease and its complications. The present study was designed to prepare a plant formula in the form of a juice taken during treatment to synergies and reduce the drug dose used and minimize disease complications. Materials and Methods: The formula is formed of spinach, broccoli, celery, green beans and chickpea. The total fat, fatty acids, polyphenol content and the antioxidant power of the formula were determined. The blood sugar tolerance curves of the volunteers were followed after breakfast alone, breakfast and treatment dose, also when this formula was given before breakfast. Results: The vegetable and legume juice could reduce postprandial glucose level when given before the breakfast and the effect was more or less similar to the effect of the treatment drug. The juice proved to contain some polyphenols and possess an antioxidant character. Analysis proved that it is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Conclusion: It is recommended to use this juice for diabetic patients to reduce hyperglycemia and synergize the effect of the used drug. It can thus avoid health problems that occur to those patients when using drugs for long time and in massive amounts.