Can guava leaves, turmeric and pepper corns cure diabetes? Fact check

Videos claiming that guava leaf extract can cure diabetes often surface on the social media, time and again. One of the viral videos begins by ‘explaining’ how guava leaves have cured the narrator’s diabetes and blood pressure. The person then proceeds to make a concoction of guava leaves, one teaspoon turmeric and a palm full of pepper corns that can completely remove ‘sugar’ off your blood stream. Besides, the video also claims that this mixture can regulate high blood pressure and improve blood circulation. 

The World Health Organisation defines diabetes as a ‘Chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.’ Insulin is the hormone that controls the glucose in the blood. Currently, no available treatment or medicines can completely cure diabetes; it could only be controlled by bringing a few changes in your lifestyle and diet. 

Studies on animals vs humans
A few studies by the National Institute of Health notes that guava leaf extract can control the blood sugar level. The study also added that the guava extract has reportedly shown hyper glycemic resistance in some experiments done on animals. However, the studies done on humans didn’t provide any conclusive evidence. In many countries like Japan, guava tea is enjoyed, assuming that it could ensure good health. Meanwhile, another study reveals that guava leaf extract can control the plasma glucose level and reduce the oxidative stress. But, this study too was conducted on mice. 

When we browsed for studies related to turmeric and diabetes, we stumbled upon a few that explains the role of turmeric in diabetes treatment and its ability to prevent certain symptoms. Even though guava leaf extract and turmeric have certain anti diabetic qualities, there aren’t any conclusive evidence to prove that these can completely cure diabetes. So, it is clear that guava leaf extract cannot be consumed as a medicine to cure diabetes. Moreover, such medicines or supplements should be consumed only after consulting a health care provider. 

Doctor’s advice
Our team also spoke to a physician to get better clarity about it. The physician explained that insulin, which is a hormone that controls the blood sugar level is produced by the pancreas. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are the most commonly seen diabetes varieties. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that happens when the beta cells in the pancreas do not produce enough insulin. Type 1 diabetic patients often have to take insulin shots throughout their life. Around 90 percent of the diabetic patients in Kerala suffer from type 2 diabetes which is also caused by insufficient production of insulin. Type 2 diabetic patients may require insulin shots a few years after they have been diagnosed. 

Type 3 is caused due to damages in the pancreas and type 4 is gestational diabetes. Although the blood sugar returns to normal levels almost six weeks after delivery, constant monitoring is required. If unmonitored, gestational diabetes could turn into type 2 diabetes, causing severe health issues. Diabetes medicines can only control or regulate the disease. Using medicines or herbal concoctions that claim to cure diabetes could do more harm than good. Besides, such concoctions could even worsen your condition. 
Fact
Guava leaf extract cannot completely cure diabetes. So, the claim made in the viral videos is false and misleading.