Hot vegetables and roots can have many beneficial effects for those who enjoy them.

If you like meals to be hot, hot, hot, then you just might be helping to keep your blood sugar levels lower at dinner time. There are many spicy foods that contain chemicals which act as anti-inflammatories, metabolism boosters, and blood glucose-lowering agents. Adding a few of these to your diet may do much to help keep your diabetes under control.

#1 Peppers

The first hot food that comes to mind for almost everyone is the simple pepper. Well, it turns out that peppers have a number of health benefits, including boosting your metabolism and reducing the appetite. The capsaicin in peppers also acts as an anti-inflammatory, which may help fight the inflammation process started by diabetes.

#2 Ginger

Aromatic and spicy ginger root is present in a lot of different Asian cuisines, but it also offers potent health benefits. A small study of 88 people who took powdered ginger every day, in addition to their regular medications, for eight weeks found that the participants enjoyed lowered blood glucose levels. This was compared to a placebo group given fake ginger capsules.

#3 Onion

Sometimes onions are hot, and sometimes, sweet. It depends on your choice of species, but the onion may also help control blood sugar and cholesterol levels. A rat study presented to The Endocrine Society in 2015 found that about 400 to 600 mg of onion extract given daily to rats in conjunction with metformin dramatically reduced their blood glucose levels and improved their cholesterol.

#4 Garlic

Often touted as a miracle cure, garlic does appear to have some effects on many common ailments. This strong bulb appears to reduce blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and fight cancer. Garlic also boasts potent antifungal and antimicrobial effects.