Have you heard of ivy gourd, yet? Not many people have, so don’t feel bad if you answered “no” to that question. But if you or your doctor is concerned about keeping your blood sugar levels healthy, you need to know about ivy gourd.
What is Ivy Gourd?
Ivy gourd is a vegetable that is part of the pumpkin family. Primarily found on the Indian subcontinent and greater Asia, it is valued as a food because all parts of the vegetable can be eaten, and stand up to strong seasonings and spices. But even more importantly, the chemicals that occur naturally in ivy gourd can assist in keeping blood sugar levels healthy.
How does Ivy Gourd work?
Our bodies produce a liver enzyme, glucose-6-phosphatase (G6PC), which is essential in order to regulate blood sugar metabolism. If that enzyme fluctuates too much, our systems get out of balance, and our blood sugar levels follow. Ivy gourd reacts with G6PC, keeping its production stable, which, in turn, helps keep our blood sugar levels stable.
Numerous studies point to the efficacy of ivy gourd. In a 2009, placebo controlled study of healthy participants, the people taking 20 grams of ivy gourd leaves with a meal had blood sugar levels that were “significantly lower” after a meal than the group taking the placebo. In 2008, another placebo controlled study looked at patients who had blood sugar concerns. In this case, participants taking ivy gourd experienced a “significantly greater improvement in blood sugar levels” than the group not taking ivy gourd. And we can keep going back, citing studies that indicate just how effective ivy gourd is in helping support blood sugar levels, all the way back to 1979. That’s right – for almost 35 years research has been telling us that ivy gourd can play an integral part in keeping our blood sugar levels in a healthy range.
But is Ivy Gourd safe?
So far, there are very few reported side effects to taking ivy gourd. Since it is a vegetable, if you have a known allergy to pumpkin or any gourds in the pumpkin family, you should avoid taking ivy gourd in any form. Also, because ivy gourd is so effective at improving blood sugar levels, talk to your doctor before adding ivy gourd to your diet if you are already taking medications that lower blood sugar. And that’s really it. Not bad for a supplement that can do so much good!
Where can I buy Ivy Gourd?
Supplements that include ivy gourd are available online and in vitamin or health food stores. Ivy gourd is sometimes known as Coccinia grandis, Coccinia cordifloria, little gourd, or tondli.
As with all nutrients, pay attention to the amounts offered in the supplement to ensure you are getting an amount that can actually help. While no official recommended dosage has been established for ivy gourd, research shows 1,000 mg per day is effective for supporting blood sugar levels. Also, stick with trusted brands and companies – such as Gluco-Sure with Gencinia, from NorthStar Nutritionals - in order to ensure the best quality.
Ivy gourd may not be one of the most well-known supplements – but it should be. After almost 35 years of research, this is a tool we should all have to help keep our healthy blood sugar levels stable. And that’s why we’re telling you about it. Because if we have really great information that makes us healthier, it’s our job to make sure you have it too.
When you have blood sugar concerns, you know sticking to a healthy diet and getting regular exercise are the two most important things you can do to protect yourself. But sometimes, diet and exercise aren’t quite enough. If you and your doctor still aren’t happy with your blood sugar levels, it may be time to look for a product with the ingredient Gencinia.