Roses are more than just a pretty flower that you can use to adorn your home or give as a gift for special occasions. In fact, there is one special type of rose that you can not only plant around your home as an ornamental flowering plant but incorporate into your diabetic diet as well.

Rosa Damascena, more commonly known as Gole Mohammadi or Damask rose, is an edible flower that has numerous medicinal benefits. It is a hardy plant that can be grown just about anywhere, except in places with very hot climate.

If you have a green thumb, you might want to invest in this flower. Here are three reasons how this rose plant can help people with diabetes.

#1 – Anti-diabetic Effects

Rosa Damascena has anti-diabetic properties that can help reduce blood sugar levels after eating. Studies show that this anti-diabetic effect is due to this plant’s ability to block an enzyme called alpha-glucosidase. This alpha-glucosidase helps in the fast absorption of carbohydrate in the small intestine, resulting in increased blood sugar levels after a meal. By blocking alpha-glucosidase activity, increased blood sugar level after meals can be controlled.

#2 –Antioxidant Effects

Our cells’ metabolic processes produce free radicals. Although these are normal byproducts of the body, high levels of free radicals damage the cells and contribute to the worsening of diseases like diabetes. They also play a role in the development of complications associated with diseases. To fight against the detrimental effects of free radicals, our body produces antioxidants to neutralize them. We also get antioxidants from the foods we eat. Now, Rosa Damascena is a good source of natural and powerful antioxidants.

#3 – Anti-inflammatory Effects

High sugar levels damage the cells and cause chronic but low-grade inflammation. This chronic inflammation slows down the healing process of damaged cells and contributes to the worsening of diabetes. Rosa Damascena has anti-inflammatory effects by blocking the chemical compounds or molecules that facilitate inflammation. This plant is also rich in vitamin C, an essential vitamin that has antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory properties.

So if you’re looking for an ornamental and edible plant to grow in your garden, choose Rosa Damascena for its beauty and anti-diabetic effects.