Panacea Journal of Health Science

Volume 1, paper 4
ISSN : 2278- 4330

HYPOGLYCEMIC EFFECT OF SPINACH AND FENUGREEK LEAVES

IN TYPE 2 DIABETICS
Karthikaa. P, M.sc Student, Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai.

Usha .T, Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics, Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai.
Ph.no-9840782722, Email ID-ushasuresh100@gmail.com

Abstract
Diabetes Mellitus is a group of conditions characterized by either a relative or a complete
lack of insulin secretion by the beta cells of the pancreas or by the defects of cell insulin
receptors. Besides various approaches in the management of diabetes, the challenge is now to
identify the hypoglycemic supplements that are safe and affordable. Green leafy vegetables are
richest in their nutritive value and cheapest of all vegetables. They are a called power house of
antioxidants and are even referred to as functional foods. The present study was done in a sample
of Type 2 diabetic subjects ( n=18) who were assigned into three groups based on the
supplementation received namely Experimental group1(n=6) who received fenugreek leaves
Khakra(2 nos), Experimental group II (n=6) (2 nos) who received spinach leaves Khakra and
control group (n=6) who did not receive any supplement. The biochemical parameters namely
fasting blood sugar , post prandial blood sugar land glycosylated hemoglobin were assessed in all
the subjects on the 0th , 30th and 60th day of supplementation. The hypoglycemic effect of
fenugreek leaves Khakra over spinach leaves Khakra were compared with each other and also
with the control group statistically using paired‘t’ test. The results revealed that supplementation
of spinach leaves khakra brought about a reduction in post prandial and HbA1C levels as
compared to fenugreek leaves khakra. The other blood parameters did not show much
significance.

Introduction
Diabetes is a global health problem .It is a chronic disease and India is now considered
as diabetes capital of the world and WHO has estimated that by 2025 the diabetic population will
be 57.2 million and the number may increase to 80.9 million by 2030 .The epidemic of diabetes
is seen even in rural areas undergoing socioeconomic development and urbanization (Chow
et.al.,2004). People with diabetes have three to five times higher risk of coronary heart disease
than non diabetics and 65% of death in individuals with type 2 diabetes are related to heart
disease and stroke (Lteif et.al., 2005). Dietary modification, weight control and regular exercise
are the main approaches in the management of diabetes.