If you have Type 2 diabetes, you’ve likely been briefed by your doctor about the foods you are and are not supposed to have to best manage your blood glucose. There are foods, like highly processed food items, that can raise your blood glucose levels and throw your body out of balance.

Likewise, there are foods that are known to be great for helping regulate the blood glucose levels of people with Type 2 diabetes.

Here are 10 spices that have been shown to help your body control or lower blood glucose.

#1. Cinnamon

Cinnamon helps people with diabetes to lower their blood sugar levels. Cinnamon can be baked into bread, put on toast in the morning, or added to your morning latte.

#2. Fenugreek

Fenugreek can help improve your tolerance to glucose and lower blood glucose levels. This vegetable also packs a lot of fiber which slows the absorption of sugar. If you want to add fenugreek to your diet, give the fenugreek based flour a try for baking or soak the seeds in water over night to eat later.

#3. Ginger

Along with settling upset stomachs, ginger has anti-diabetic and anti-oxidative properties that benefit people with Type 2 diabetes. Ginger can improve your sensitivity to insulin, help with losing weight, and lower your cholesterol levels.

You can drink ginger tea as well as cook with fresh or dried ginger.

#4. Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice that has anti-inflammatory properties, as well as being an ingredient that protects your heart and helps with weight loss. Some studies have shown that turmeric can help manage some of the symptoms of diabetes. Turmeric can be added to your dishes raw or powdered.

#5. Garlic

Garlic is beneficial to your health in many ways. For diabetics, garlic can help maintain regular blood glucose levels due to its anti-diabetic and hypolipidemic properties. Ginger can also be used to fight high cholesterol. There are many ways to include garlic in your regular cooking routine if you don’t already.

#6. Curry leaves

Curry leaves contain a lot of minerals that are incredibly beneficial for people with diabetes. Curry leaf powder can be added to soups and salads, or the curry leaves can be chewed on in the morning before you eat anything else.

#7. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is good for healing skin, but it can also be taken internally to help manage your blood glucose levels. Aloe Vera has a high fiber content, which helps remove excess sugar from your blood. Aloe Vera comes in gel, juice, and supplement forms.

#8. Cloves

Cloves may find their way into some of your dishes, but did you know it can help with reducing inflammation and regulating your blood sugar levels? Cloves also help manage some of the symptoms of diabetes, which can include eye disease, heart issues, and vascular problems.

Cloves can be added to your diet as a herb you add to regular dishes.

#9. Ginseng

Ginseng can be taken after you eat to control the blood glucose spikes you may have after a meal. Ginseng, particularly red ginseng, can help people with Type 2 diabetes metabolize carbohydrates. Ginseng comes in tea form.

#10. Oregano

Oregano can be put on many of the dishes you already know and love, like pasta sauce or pizza. Oregano and other herbs like rosemary help fight inflammation and inhibit the parts of your body that secrete too much insulin.

Many different herbs and spices that you may already have in your spice rack may help you with Type 2 diabetes and the symptoms that come along with this disease.