Paneer Flower for Diabetes: What is it & How Does it Work?

Is Paneer flower good for dibetes? Let’s exploreAncient Ayurvedic texts mention several herbal remedies for controlling high blood sugar levels and treating Prameha (diabetes). Paneer phool or Paneer dodi is one such remedy.

Is there any scientific backing to these claims?

Read on to learn about the benefits of Paneer flower for diabetes, its nutritional profile, the best way to consume it, and much more!

 

Paneer Flower: Nutritional Profile

Paneer flower or Indian rennet are the common names used for the berries of the Withania coagulans plant. This plant is native to India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, and is cultivated for its significance in traditional medicine. It is colloquially known as Paneer ke phool, Paneer phool, and Paneer dodi as the fruits contain milk-coagulating enzymes that are used in the production of paneer or cottage cheese.

The fruits or berries of this plant contain naturally occuring steroidal compounds called Withanolides, which are thought to have medicinal properties. The following is the composition of the fruits of Withania coagulans. 

Macronutrient	Fruit Composition
Water	14%
Protein	4.65%
Fat	5%
Fibre	12%
Carbohydrates	60.14%

The fruits are also rich in magnesium, calcium, amino acids, enzymes, fatty acids, and phytochemicals like flavonoids, anthocyanins, and phenolic compounds that have antioxidant properties.

Paneer Phool: Benefits for Diabetes

Several studies have shown that regular intake of Paneer phool can significantly lower blood glucose levels as well as HbA1c levels. Upon consumption of Paneer phool extract during the studies, it was observed that glucose uptake in cells and tissues was increased. This could be due to increased insulin sensitivity, which is an important factor in good glycaemic control and Type 2 Diabetes management. 

Studies have shown that Paneer dodi can also help improve the symptoms caused by diabetes like frequent urination, excessive hunger, fatigue, etc., by normalising your blood sugar levels.

What are the Benefits of Insulin Plant for Diabetes?

Though numerous studies have been conducted on the hypoglycaemic properties of the insulin plant, the exact mechanism of action is yet to be determined. Most of these studies claim that there has been a noticeable and significant decrease in blood sugar levels after consuming the leaves from the Costus igneus plant. 

Studies claim that this glucose-lowering property of the insulin leaves can be the result of one or more of the following.

• The phytochemicals in the insulin leaves improve insulin sensitivity in your cells, thus promoting glucose uptake.
• The phytochemicals, especially α and β-amyrin, stimulate insulin production from your pancreatic β-cells.
• The fibre and other compounds in the insulin leaves slow down the absorption of glucose from your gut.

Ways to Use Paneer Phool for Diabetes

Paneer flower can be taken in the form of a basic kadha (concoction), which can be made as follows:

• Soak 10 to 15 dried Paneer dodi in 300 ml of water overnight. In the morning, squeeze the Paneer dodi to ensure you get all of their nutrients, then filter the mixture before drinking.
• Soak 7 to 10 dried Paneer dodi in 300 ml of water for around 2 hours, then boil for about 10 minutes. Filter the mixture before drinking.
• If using Paneer dodi powder, mix one tablespoon (10 to 15 g) of the powder in 250 ml of water and drink.

 You can consume 1 or 2 glasses (250 ml each) of Paneer flower kadha per day.

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Best Time for Consuming Paneer Dodi for Diabetes

The best time to consume Paneer dodi for diabetes is before a meal. You can consume one glass of kadha in the morning before breakfast and another glass before lunch.

Paneer Phool: Side Effects and Risks of Overconsumption

Paneer ke phool generally do not cause any adverse reactions or side effects when taken in the recommended amounts. The fruits may have some sedative effect (sleep-inducing or calming effect), so consume with caution if you are sensitive to sedatives.

If you are taking any medications for diabetes like oral hypoglycaemics or insulin, consult your doctor before using Paneer flower.

Other Health Benefits of Paneer Dodi

Paneer dodi is said to have several health benefits such as:

• Hypolipidaemic (any agent that reduces the levels of lipids in your blood) properties that can help lower your blood cholesterol levels.
• Antioxidant properties owing to the high concentrations of flavonoids and anthocyanins present in the fruits, which protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress.
• Hepatoprotective and cardioprotective properties due to the presence of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that protect your liver and heart from damage, respectively.
• Antimicrobial properties that help your body fight off bacterial and fungal infections.

Don’t Have Time To Read?

• Paneer flower is rich in antioxidants, amino acids, fatty acids, and a steroidal substance called Withanolides.
• Paneer flower is used to treat diabetes. If used daily, even in tiny doses, it has the potential to effectively regulate excessive blood sugar levels.
• It has the ability to increase glucose uptake in your cells and tissues by improving insulin sensitivity in your body.
• You can consume Paneer phool by soaking them overnight in water, soaking them in water for a few hours and then boiling them, or mixing about one tablespoon of Paneer flower powder in a glass of water.
• Limit your consumption to one or two glasses of 250 ml each a day.
• The best time to drink the Paneer phool kadha is in the morning before breakfast or before lunch. 
• Paneer dodi generally does not have any side effects. However, consult your doctor before consuming them if you are on medication for Type 2 Diabetes.
• Paneer dodi has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cholesterol lowering properties while also protecting your heart and liver from damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Paneer Phool good for diabetes?

Yes, Paneer phool is good for diabetes as it has shown promising blood glucose lowering effects in clinical studies.

How to use Paneer Phool for diabetes?

If you have diabetes, you can consume Paneer phool in the form of a kadha. This can be made by soaking them overnight in a glass of water, or by soaking them in water for 2 hours and then boiling the mixture. Alternatively, you can mix one tablespoon of the dried Paneer phool powder in a glass of water and consume it.

Is paneer phool also good for weight loss?

As paneer phool helps improve insulin sensitivity in your cells, it can potentially be useful for weight loss as well. When your cells become insulin resistant, your blood glucose levels are elevated and your pancreas produces more insulin to combat this. High insulin levels can lead to excess fat production in your body as insulin converts glucose to fat in order to store it for later use. Thus, paneer flower can be used to lower insulin resistance and prevent weight gain caused by high insulin levels in your body.

What precautions should you take while consuming paneer dodi?

As paneer dodi can lower your blood glucose levels, consult your doctor before consuming it if you are already using oral medications or insulin to manage your diabetes. This can help prevent hypoglycaemia (dangerously low blood glucose levels). Also, consult your physician or a certified Ayurvedic specialist before taking any other herbs or supplements along with paneer dodi.