“Opinions on the best dietary approach for diabetes vary so always follow your own doctor’s advice. In general, it helps to replace some carbohydrates in your diet with healthy monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids.
“Consider following a wholegrain, high-fibre, low-glycaemic, Mediterranean-style diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables, berries, fish and olive oil.
“Dark chocolate, cocoa powder, cinnamon, ginger, fenugreek, turmeric, cumin, coriander, mustard seed and curry leaves all have some evidence for improving glucose control, as do many traditional Ayurvedic herbs.”
Dr Brewer continued: “If you are being managed by diet and lifestyle, you may benefit from the Ayurvedic herbal remedy, CuraLin (£59, www.curalife.com) – a blend of 10 traditional medicinal herbs including Bitter Melon, Fenugreek, Amla fruit, Gymnema and Turmeric.