The mineral that's good for blood sugar

The Mineral That's Good for Blood Sugar
There's a certain mineral that may help reduce your diabetes risk.

Here's a clue: You might already be getting plenty of it if you eat lots of whole grains, beans, nuts, and leafy greens. It's magnesium -- found naturally in many plant-based foods. Just how much might keep diabetes out of the picture?

A Little More Magnesium
Along with watching your weight and being more active, certain dietary choices may help reduce your risk of diabetes -- a blood sugar disorder that can spell trouble for your heart, eyes, kidneys, and more. According to a recent study, you may be able to cut your diabetes risk by 15 percent just by bumping up your daily magnesium intake another 100 milligrams (mg). Why? Magnesium helps your body metabolize blood sugar

Bread, Beans, and Bananas
Although more research is needed before recommending daily magnesium supplementation, making magnesium-rich foods part and parcel of your eating plan is a great idea. How can you bump up your intake by 100 mg? Easy. Check off one of the combos on this list today and you're there:

• An ounce of peanuts, a half cup of raisins, and an ounce of sunflower seeds
  
• Three-quarters cup of cooked spinach sprinkled with toasted pine nuts
  
• One and a half cups of oatmeal with a quarter cup of chopped dates
  
• A half cup of lima beans and a half cup of navy beans
  
• A turkey sandwich on whole-wheat bread
  
• Ten ounces of yogurt with a cup of fresh blueberries and a cup of OJ (Try this smoothie recipe.)
  
• A cup of brown rice with two chopped figs
  
• A cup of Cheerios with a cup of low-fat milk and a banana