5 Natural Remedies That Could Help Prevent Diabetes

Dodging diabetes has always been a smart move since doing so also protects against heart problems, vision loss, and even hearing impairment. Why it’s now more important than ever: New research in JAMA reveals sidestepping the disease also cuts the risk of dementia in half. Thankfully, glorious fall months make it easy to find natural remedies to prevent diabetes.

Add that coconut.

If you’re feeling tired and scattered despite fall’s fresh air, there’s a reason for that: Seven in 10 women have an overgrowth of candida, a type of yeast that lives in our body and feeds on sugar in our diet. And high candida levels trigger a sensitivity to mold, which thrives in piles of leaves and garden mulch. This triggers tiredness, forgetfulness and achy joints. The easy fix? Adding a spoonful of coconut oil to your daily diet. Investigators at the University of Southern California found that the oil’s monolaurin cuts candida growth in half.

Spoon up apple crisp.

Or bite into a juicy pear. A new Australian study found that enjoying two daily servings of fruit lowers diabetes risk by 36 percent. Researchers say that’s because the fiber in fruit keeps blood sugar from climbing, while its flavonoids fight inflammation that can set diabetes in motion.

Bonus: Topping fruity treats with cinnamon helps too. Per research in Diabetes Care, the spice allows glucose to enter cells rather than build up in the blood.

Sip golden milk.

The curcumin that gives turmeric its yellow hue brims with compounds that prevent diabetes by enhancing the function of cells in the pancreas. In fact, research in Diabetes Care found that curcumin’s curcumoinoids prevented prediabetes from progressing to full-blown disease in 100 percent of participants. Simply stir one teaspoon of turmeric into one cup of warm milk or almond milk, then mix in honey, ginger, and cinnamon to taste.

Spy butterflies.

Watching migrating monarchs flit by, listening to sparrows chirping, gazing at mums in bloom…the sights and sounds of nature slash stress in as little as 10 minutes. And that’s a benefit that can reduce diabetes risk by 56 percent, research in PLOS ONE found. Combatting spikes in the stress hormone cortisol improves cells’ sensitivity to the blood sugar–regulating hormone insulin.

Enjoy leaf-peeping.

Take a 15-minute midday break to admire the changing colors outside. A study in PLOS ONE found that folks with healthy blood levels of vitamin D, the “sunshine vitamin,” were three times less likely to develop diabetes than those deficient in D. Scientists suspect it enhances the body’s sensitivity to insulin. And since sun is the best way to boost D levels, a lunchtime jaunt outdoors is ideal as rays are highest between 10am and 3pm.

With these natural remedies, you’ll be able to keep diabetes at bay.

A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, Woman’s World.