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Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Viburnum is a berry that, according to various data, has a glycemic index of 10-20 units, which is considered quite acceptable for diabetes.
Viburnum can be eaten fresh or frozen (though you will have to do without sugar), added to compotes, and made tea from fresh berries. Jam made with sugar substitutes, prepared in 2 batches for 5 minutes, will also be useful.
[ Indications
This is a berry with a rich taste and a high content of organic acids. This property can be harmful in inflammatory-degenerative diseases of the joints (arthritis, gout), only aggravating the inflammatory process. It will not be beneficial with a high level of acidity of gastric juice, since fresh berries can have a stimulating effect on the secretion of bile and hydrochloric acid, thereby increasing the acidity of the stomach and additionally irritating its walls.
Viburnum is a staunch fighter against high blood pressure, so diabetics suffering from hypotension (low blood pressure) should not consume berries and infusions of other parts of the plant, unless we are talking about a couple of berries for pleasure.
Viburnum is also used in folk medicine as a hemostatic agent, because it can increase blood clotting. This can be dangerous if the patient already has high blood viscosity, which is fraught with the formation of blood clots. Needless to say, the use of viburnum-based compositions can be dangerous for people with thrombophlebitis and vascular thrombosis.
Benefits
It contains mainly slow carbohydrates that do not strain the pancreas. In addition, the berry is among the leaders in the content of vitamin C, which improves the functioning of the endocrine glands, increases immunity and strengthens blood vessels, and also contains other vitamins useful for diabetes: A, E, K, P. Viburnum is also famous for its high content of iron, potassium, magnesium, and zinc.
Viburnum berry has been used since ancient times as a general tonic for various diseases. In diabetes, it prevents such dangerous complications as retinopathy and anemia, improves liver condition, helps control weight, is considered a preventative for atherosclerosis, and due to its ability to increase tissue sensitivity to insulin, it reduces the load on the pancreas.
Contraindications
During pregnancy, the consumption of viburnum will have to be limited, because the berries contain substances that increase the contractility of the uterus. And this is an increased risk of miscarriage. It is clear that we are not talking about one or two berries, which will not harm, but will only feed the body of the expectant mother with nutrients, without causing an increase in blood sugar levels in previously diagnosed or gestational diabetes.