Black, red and white currants in diabetes mellitus

In order to replenish the reserves of useful substances, people try to eat as many berries and fruits as possible during the season, and also make preparations for the winter period. Many people know that the leader in vitamin C content is currant. But not everything is so simple with diabetics. The disease imposes a number of gastronomic restrictions on them, since diabetes is associated with impaired glucose absorption, and many berries are sweet in taste. Let's figure out whether currants and some other berries are permissible for diabetes.

What berries can you eat if you have diabetes?

Knowing which berries can be eaten with diabetes is very important for the patient. Summer is the time to strengthen health, improve immunity, and just pamper yourself, but there is a risk of harm by increasing blood sugar levels. To avoid this, you need to have an idea of the chemical composition of each type and its effect on carbohydrate metabolism:

• raspberries for diabetes are tasty, sweet, aromatic, juicy and at the same time have a low glycemic index (30 units), low calorie content (52 kcal / 100g). They are rich in vitamins A, C, PP, E, polyunsaturated fatty acids, malic, citric, folic, salicylic acids, essential oils, zinc, copper, phosphorus, iron, cobalt, pectins, tannins, glucose, fructose, etc. Thus, raspberries are useful for diabetes and for the prevention of its development, but with one caveat - do not abuse the amount, for type 1 diabetes - no more than 100g at a time, so as not to cause a jump in sugar;
• gooseberry for diabetes - the value of this berry is in the presence of chromium in it in the amount necessary for the normal functioning of the body. It is this element that stimulates the production of insulin by the pancreas. In order for the berry to give up its useful substances as much as possible, it must be combined with honey and butter;
• cranberry for diabetes - the berry is popularly known for its healing properties, it is used to treat coughs, kidney stones, headaches, colds, liver, and pancreas. The latter gives it the right to be deservedly used for diabetes. It lowers blood glucose and saturates the body with many vitamins, flavonoids, pectins, and other substances necessary for a full-fledged existence. Moreover, in dried form, its properties are not lost, which allows you to include it in your diet all year round;
• apricot for diabetes - it is famous for its high content of iron, potassium, beta-carotene and is very useful for the heart, vascular system, digestion. But for diabetics, its consumption should be strictly limited due to the large amount of sugar. After eating apricots, you need to adjust other products to reduce the glycemic index. Dried apricots are more suitable for diabetics - dried apricots;
• Cherry for diabetes - not limited in this pathology. It contains valuable ellagic acid, which prevents the development of cancer cells, anthocyanidins, which reduce uric acid, as well as anthocyanins, which improve insulin production.

The main question remains: can you eat currants if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes?

Blackcurrant for diabetes

There are about 200 varieties of currants in the world, but the most common and favorite is black currant. The pharmacological properties of black currant are its bactericidal, diaphoretic, diuretic, fixing, antioxidant, and immune-boosting effects. And for diabetes, it is also valuable because its consumption does not lead to a rapid jump in blood glucose. It owes its healing properties to vitamins A, K, P, E, group B, phytoncides, pectins, tannins, organic acids, trace elements, and other useful elements. By consuming it, a person receives a real vitamin-mineral complex, improves their metabolism, which suffers from the disease.

[ 1 ]

Red currant for diabetes

Many people look down on this berry as a second-rate relative of black, and in vain. In terms of coumarin content, which prevents the formation of blood clots, it surpasses its famous rival and is on the same level as figs and pomegranates. It contains a lot of pectins, the role of which is to remove toxins and harmful substances from the body, it is the leader in the amount of iodine among fruit and shrub plants. Red currant loosens the stomach, it is good to use for constipation, improves metabolism, has a choleretic effect. Red currant is a very desirable product for diabetes.

White currant for diabetes

White currant is similar to red currant in its chemical composition, so it is also useful for diabetes. It cleanses the blood of cholesterol, it has an excess of potassium and iron, so it is effective in the fight against atherosclerosis and hypertension. It makes the body more resistant to infections and bacteria, improves the motility of the digestive organs, and strengthens memory. It is also prepared for the winter: dried, frozen, and also makes a fragrant bright red jelly, which in winter will bring not only benefits, but also pleasure.

Currant leaves for diabetes

All parts of this fruit crop have medicinal properties, including leaves. They are very aromatic, this property is even in demand in cooking - during pickling, housewives put them in pickles, add them to teas and drinks. Currant leaves are also used for diabetes. They are brewed both fresh and dried and drink infusions, teas, and fresh young leaves are used as an ingredient in dietary sugar-burning salads. They contain a lot of essential oils, ascorbic acid, carotene, phytoncides, which gives them a disinfectant, anti-inflammatory, rejuvenating effect.

[ 2 ]

Benefits

Studies have shown that just 20 medium currants provide a person's daily requirement for vitamin C. It increases the body's resistance, strengthens the heart muscle, blood vessels, improves vision, mental abilities, and has a good anti-inflammatory and disinfectant effect. Given all this beneficial effect on the body, it is also ideal for diabetics, but the most important factor is the ability to control blood sugar levels thanks to fructose. In addition, 7 tablespoons of the berry contain only 1 bread unit.

[ 3 ]

Contraindications

Despite the obvious predominance of beneficial qualities of currants for patients with diabetes, it also has its own contraindications. It cannot be eaten by people diagnosed with thrombophlebitis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, inflammatory liver diseases, hepatitis, gastritis with increased acidity of the stomach. In the latter case, you can still allow yourself a small amount of berries not on an empty stomach, but after eating and observe the reaction.

[ 4 ], [ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ], [ 8 ]

Possible risks

Complications are possible from the gastrointestinal tract in the form of pain, nausea, belching, bloating. Rarely, there are cases of allergy to currants, which manifests itself in itching, rashes and swelling.

[ 9 ], [ 10 ], [ 11 ]

Reviews

People with diabetes are forced to deny themselves many things, so the opportunity not only to indulge, but also to strengthen health, saturate oneself with useful substances, help metabolic processes and cleanse the body of decay products, find only good reviews. Determining the glucose level after consuming currants showed that there is no sharp jump in sugar levels, and this convinces us that it is impossible to harm oneself.