Diabetes or Diabetes Mellitus is a very common lifestyle disorder which is marked by high blood sugar levels for a prolonged period of time. Short-term symptoms include frequent urination, increased thirst, and increased hunger while long-term complications include cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic kidney failure, foot ulcers, and damage to the eyes.
Prevention and treatment involve a healthy diet, physical exercise, maintaining a normal body weight, and avoiding the use of tobacco. It is generally thought that the diet to be followed by diabetes patients is rather boring as it ticks off most food items including fruits. Fruits are generally told to be avoided by diabetes patients as they have saturated sugar contents which can cause a hike in the blood sugar levels. In other reports, it can also be claimed that there are certain good fruits for diabetes, which can be used effectively in the diet.
Top 8 fruits for diabetics:
Melons
This is a fruit group is divided into 2 classes: watermelons and muskmelons. There are several types of watermelons. The muskmelon class includes cantaloupe, honeydew, casaba, and different others. Melons are a good source of vitamin C. Orange-fleshed melons are also a good source of beta-carotene, and red watermelon is an excellent source of lycopene. Also, you can consider eating bitter melons which seems to be a powerful treatment for diabetes, even if you do eat a lot of carbs. It activates an enzyme that is responsible for transporting glucose from the blood into the cells making it top the list of fruits for diabetics.
Papaya
It helps diabetics to stay away from heart disease as it contains vitamin A, vitamin C and fibre along with other antioxidants. Despite the fact that it has a sugar content as low as 8.3 gm in one cup, it is sweet. This makes papaya a perfect fruit for all diabetics to consume.
Apple
Fortunately, the sugars in the fruit are perfectly acceptable in a balanced diabetic diet. Diabetics should feel free to eat apples, along with most other fruits. It contains significant amounts of antioxidants, dietary fiber and flavonoids. Apples have also been shown to support healthy lung function, lower the risk of asthma and protect the body against certain types of cancer and heart diseases. An apple a day can definitely keep the doctor away.
Guava
The guava fruit and leaves contain at least 13 substances against diabetes including pectin fibre, fructose, flavonols, minerals like magnesium and zinc and niacin. It has very few calories. It has only 7g of sugar thus promoting balanced sweetness. This fruit has significant components like beta -sitosterol against cholesterol. It is best to take the whole fruit to avail maximum fibres.
Pineapple
The most unlikely fruit on the list of any diabetic would be pineapple. Being diabetic doesn’t mean you have to give up fruit. its glycemic load is only a 7, which is considered to be low, so it isn’t likely to cause a large increase in your blood sugar levels. It is saturated fat-free, very low in sodium, cholesterol-free and high in vitamin C. Presence of pigments such as Alpha-Carotene, Beta-Carotene, Zeaxanthin, flavonols, Flavonones makes it one of the best fruits for diabetics.
Pomegranate
Health benefits attributed to pomegranates include prevention of heart disease. It’s full of vitamins and fiber, low in calories, and sweet and refreshing. It can treat cancer along with diabetes.
Kiwi
There is a positive relation between kiwi consumption and lowering of blood sugar level. Its high fibre content and low glycemic index provide better glycemic regulation, making it a good choice for diabetic patients.
Oranges
They provide high levels of fiber, modulating blood sugar by slowing absorption into the bloodstream and vitamin C, which supports the immune system.
Controlling diabetes is an art. A lot of misconceptions about eating specific fruits and avoiding others exist in diabetic people. A diabetic who has well-controlled sugar can have all kinds of fruits but in limited quantities. Fruits and their quantity are recommended depending on the stage of diabetes a person is suffering from. Fruits for diabetic patients can help in their general wellness.
