Three berries doctor says are 'excellent' for lowering blood sugar levels

A recent study has suggested that elevated blood sugar levels could be associated with a higher risk of heart diseases. The research, conducted by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, discovered that individuals with increased blood sugar levels have a 30-50% heightened likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), even if these levels are below the diabetes threshold.The study also revealed that those with the lowest blood sugar levels within the normal range had a 10% reduced risk of any form of CVD, including heart attacks and strokes. "Blood sugar levels, also known as blood glucose levels, are a measurement that shows how much glucose you have in your blood," explains Dr Gill Jenkins, GP, and advisor to the Tea Advisory Panel."Glucose is a sugar that you get either directly from food and drink, through digestion of carbohydrate-containing foods, or through other metabolic processes in the body."She further elaborates that blood sugar levels fluctuate throughout the day, increasing with eating and drinking (including alcohol), and decreasing if you haven't eaten or drunk for some time.

The energy spike and subsequent slump you experience after consuming a fizzy drink or sweet snack can be attributed to the rise and fall of blood sugar."Blood glucose levels can also change with exercise, state of hydration, and with physical or mental stress, and certain medications," Jenkins adds."Even in people without diabetes, major illnesses, hormonal disorders, or certain medications such as steroids and some antidepressants, can cause blood sugar fluctuations."Getting a sudden energy boost from a sugary food or drink isn't actually a symptom of high blood sugar, also known as hyperglycaemia. "Symptoms