Blood Sugar Supplements List

Blood sugar supplements are used to keep blood glucose levels in a healthy range. Among the most popular dietary supplements available, these products are increasingly used as an alternative to prescription hypoglycemic medications.

On this page we are going to discuss the research behind popular blood sugar supplement ingredients to figure out whether they’re worth taking. For more information on the science behind blood sugar and blood sugar supplements in general, check out our blood sugar guide.

Alpha Lipoic Acid

ALpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a fatty acid found throughout the body and present in many foods. ALA is considered a “universal” antioxidant because it dissolves in both water and fat, making it quite versatile. ALA supplements are used for disorders connected to oxidative stress and energy metabolism, such as diabetes, obesity, and chronic fatigue.

In addition, ALA has demonstrated the ability to lower blood sugar by activating AMPK, an enzyme that increases blood glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity. However, clinical evidence on its blood sugar-lowering effects remains mixed, with some positive and some negative findings.

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Bilberry

A European cousin of the blueberry, bilberry is a plant with edible berries. Although mainly recognized for supporting healthy vision, bilberry preparations are also used to lower blood sugar levels. The fruits and leaves of the plant contain compounds that have been suggested to lower glucose absorption, improve insulin activity, and enhancing glucose transport.

Unfortunately, there are few quality studies of bilberry’s blood sugar effects. As such, it’s not clear whether it has any significant hypoglycemic benefits.

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Bitter Melon

A tropical fruit native to Asia, South America, and Africa, bitter melon is easily recognized by its cucumber shape and bitter taste. The fruit has been utilized in traditional medicine for hundreds of years to relieve inflammation, digestive issues, infections, and control blood sugar.

Research indicates that bitter melon contains compounds that can both support and mimic the effects of insulin, in addition to blocking glucose absorption and improving metabolism.

Despite this, human studies of bitter melon report inconclusive results, with some positive and some negative findings. In addition, most studies suffer from being low-quality.

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Chromium

Chromium is an essential nutrient that supports the function of key metabolic hormone insulin. Given insulin’s role in energy metabolism, it’s not surprising that chromium supplements are frequently used to help with diabetes, obesity, and supporting lean muscle mass.

Despite chromium’s popularity as a blood-sugar lowering supplement, the research evidence is inconclusive. At most, research suggests that diabetics have lower average chromium levels than healthy individuals.

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Cinnamon

Although better known as a spice, cinnamon also possesses medicinal properties. It’s been used for millennia to treat a everything from digestive concerns to brain disorders. Today, cinnamon supplements are a popular natural solution for elevated blood sugar.

Research suggests that cinnamon not only reduces the absorption of dietary glucose, but also supports the function of insulin.

Clinical research of cinnamon has reported promising results, with the majority of studies showing reductions in blood sugar levels. As such, cinnamon is one of the most reliable natural options for blood sugar control.

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Copper

Copper is a mineral that the body needs in tiny amounts. Copper is widespread in foods, making deficiency relatively rare. Although copper is sometimes included in blood sugar supplements, there is no evidence that it has any beneficial effects on blood glucose.

In fact, the research seems to indicate that copper levels are elevated in diabetics. As such, compounds that lower copper may actually be more beneficial for diabetes.

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Fenugreek

Fenugreek is a renowned medicinal herb used for thousands of years by Chinese, Indian, Near East, and Mediterranean cultures. Today, fenugreek continues to be popular as a way to improve digestion, boost testosterone, and help manage diabetes.

In terms of blood sugar, studies show that fenugreek can reduce the absorption of glucose from food and enhance the activity of insulin.

Fenugreek’s glucose benefits are backed by multiple human studies, making one one of the most reliable, evidence-backed options for blood sugar control.

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Ginseng

Ginseng is arguably the most popular medicinal herb in the world. Backed by a long history of use and a growing body of research, ginseng has been demonstrated to help with everything from cholesterol to brain health. In addition, some people also take ginseng to maintain healthy blood sugar.

Research suggests that ginseng can achieve this through reducing dietary glucose absorption, improving insulin function, and enhancing the transport of glucose into cells.

Human studies of ginseng as a hypoglycemic supplement report minor – but notable – reductions in fasting blood sugar.

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Gymnema Sylvestre

Gymnema sylvestre is a shrub found in India and Africa. It has a history of use in traditional medicine for treating diabetes, inflammation, and other common concerns.

In terms of bood sugar, gymnema holds the nickname “sugar destroyer” because chewing its leaves suppresses the taste of sweetness. In a similar way, taking gymnema supplements may reduce sugar absorption and metabolism, in addition to supporting the function of insulin-producing beta cells.

Studies of gymnema report reductions of blood sugar in both type 1 and 2 diabetics. However, more research is needed before a conclusive recommendation.

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Taurine

Taurine is an amino acid-like compound abundant in the human body and animal foods. It has many biological roles, which explains why taurine supplements are used for multiple purposes, including sports formulas, energy drinks, vision enhancers, and nootropics.

In terms of blood sugar, studies indicate that taurine’s antioxidant effects may protect insulin-producing beta cells from damage. In addition, it may also promote insulin release and insulin sensitivity.

Despite this, taurine’s potential as a blood sugar supplement is yet to be seriously explored in human trials.

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Vanadium

Vanadium is a trace mineral. Health experts are still debating whether vanadium is an essential nutrient for humans, and are not entirely sure of its effects.

Having said that, early research suggests that vanadium may enhance and mimic the effects of insulin. Furthermore, multiple human studies of vanadium supplementation report reductions in measures of blood glucose control, so much so that experts believe it may be a “practical alternative” to prescription diabetes drugs. ¹

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