Allahabad:

Scientists of Allahabad University led by Geeta Watal have found that the seeds of bael have qualities to fight diabetes.

Those suffering from diabetes often refrain from having drinks made from the pulp of ‘bael’ (aegle marme-los), oblivious of the fact that the seeds of this fruit are beneficial in controlling diabetes and also bring down cholesterol level.

In their research paper published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, the scientists have reported that the extract from bael seeds bring down the level of blood glucose up to 60.84% and that too just after a fortnight of consumption of the extract.

The extract was derived after drying the seeds and making its powder.

The powdered extract was boiled in water and administered to rats. When a chronic diabetic rat was administered the dose of 250 mg for 14 days, its FBG level came down by 64.84% and the urine sugar came down by 75% as compared to the pre-treatment level.

The seeds of bael have also shown promising results in terms of benefiting the patients suffering from high blood pressure as the extract of this seed reduces the level of cholesterol.

“Our results show that the total cholesterol (TC) came down to 25.49% and the high density lipoprotein (HDL) increased by 33.43% and low density lipoprotein (LDL) decreased by 45.77%.

It means that patients suffering from high blood pressure are likely to get benefited by consuming the extract,” Watal said.

With mercury soaring high, sale of drinks like ‘panna’ and ‘bael sharbat’ is on the rise.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Allahabad / April 17th, 2016