Mushrooms in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus requires a special dietary pattern, which significantly limits carbohydrate consumption. This is due to a disorder (type 2) or lack (type 1) of insulin synthesis, a hormone produced by the pancreas and responsible for the absorption of glucose by the body's cells. When organizing nutrition, it is important to know the glycemic index (GI) of each product. Preference is given to those with a low GI (up to 40 U). What do mushrooms look like from this point of view and can they be eaten with diabetes types 1 and 2?

[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ]

Benefits and harms

Mushrooms are unique organisms, without which it is difficult to imagine living nature. They are an integral part of the ecosystem, as they contribute to the decomposition of all organic matter remaining after the death of animals and plants. They are involved in the production of medicines and drugs. Edible mushrooms have great nutritional value and are actively used in cooking. For patients with diabetes, they are a desirable food product, as they have a low GI, a lot of fiber, vitamins A, B, B2, D, C, PP, minerals: potassium, phosphorus, iron, calcium, magnesium, etc.

However, do not forget that this is quite a heavy food for the digestive organs, pancreas, so it is worth limiting their consumption to 100g per week, and not all methods of their preparation are suitable. In case of exacerbation of gastritis, gastroduodenitis, pancreatitis, mushrooms can cause harm to health.

[ 4 ], [ 5 ]

What mushrooms can you eat if you have diabetes?

The wide variety of mushroom species and methods of their preparation requires specification for each of them in relation to diabetics. In addition to the usual forest or basement mushroom farms, there are those with the help of which drinks are prepared that have a health-improving effect and have a beneficial effect on the course of diabetes. Among them:

• Kombucha - looks like a jellyfish living in a jar of water on the window. The drink resembles kvass, has a pleasant taste, and also has many useful properties. It strengthens the immune system, lowers blood sugar, improves metabolism, and prevents the development of atherosclerosis. Kombucha is rich in various vitamins, organic acids, potassium, zinc, and iodine. Limitations to its consumption are increased acidity of the stomach, gout, and peptic ulcer. A diabetic can drink it in a glass per day in 3-4 doses, while its concentration should not be very high (it can be diluted with mineral water);
• milk mushroom for diabetes - a type of fermented milk product. Externally, kefir mushroom is similar to boiled rice grains, milk is used in the production of the drink by fermenting it. It is credited with various healing properties, including normalization of metabolism, intestinal microflora, activation of the immune system, antimicrobial, antiallergic action. All these characteristics are important in diabetes, the ability to reduce glucose levels is especially valuable. The recommended dose is 200-250 ml per day, the duration of the course is a year.

Veselka mushroom for diabetes

Not everyone has even heard of it, although it grows in our forests and can help diabetics thanks to its multiple medicinal properties. It is white or slightly greenish, has a thick stem and a disproportionately small pointed cap.

The healing power is concentrated in their embryos, which are in the ground and have the shape of an egg. They are harvested in the summer, dried, and then prepared as a vodka-based tincture.

The uniqueness of its qualities is that the polysaccharides in its composition help to produce the substance perforin in the human body, which prevents the spread of cancer cells. It also removes bad cholesterol from the body, heals wounds and trophic ulcers in a short time, reduces blood pressure, eliminates joint pain, and has a general tonic effect. The mushroom will also serve well in diabetes, since it can positively affect glycemia.

[ 6 ], [ 7 ]

White mushrooms for diabetes

The most valuable of all forest gifts is white. It has not only excellent taste qualities, but also a lot of nutritional properties necessary for the body. It is rich in minerals calcium, sodium, iron, magnesium, fluorine, cobalt, zinc; vitamins C, E, PP, group B. Riboflavin in its composition improves thyroid function, ergothioneine accelerates cell renewal, antioxidants strengthen the immune system.

Porcini mushrooms are rich in proteins, they are low in calories, but still poorly absorbed by the body, which somewhat limits their consumption.

Shiitake mushrooms for diabetes

Shiitake or Japanese forest mushroom grows in the countries of Southeast Asia on fallen trees and stumps. It has not only excellent taste qualities, but also scientifically proven medicinal properties, consisting in a beneficial effect on all body systems, especially in the fight against infections, skin diseases, high blood glucose levels, atherosclerosis, chronic gastrointestinal pathologies.

These qualities are due to the presence of a rich vitamin-mineral complex, the polysaccharide lentinan, the hormone lignan, a number of useful amino acids, and coenzymes.

We do not have the opportunity to use fresh mushrooms, but mushroom preparations are sold in capsule form, including shiitake, designed to rehabilitate patients with diabetes.

[ 8 ]

Pickled mushrooms for diabetes

Our culinary traditions include preparing mushrooms for the winter by marinating or pickling. Marinades use vinegar and sugar, pickling requires a lot of salt and spices. Such dishes are very tasty, but not suitable for diabetics.

The best way to prepare is to dry or freeze boiled in water. They can be used to make first courses: soups, borscht, as well as second courses, snacks, sauces.

Chaga mushroom for diabetes

Chaga or birch mushroom has been considered healing since ancient times, especially by northern peoples. A decoction of it was used to treat digestive disorders, reduce pain, and was used as an external disinfectant.

Modern drugs based on chaga significantly (up to 30%) reduce blood serum sugar within 3 hours after taking them. From ready-made medicinal forms, you can use a tincture of the mushroom befungin or make your own tincture from raw materials purchased at a pharmacy.

Mushroom dishes for diabetics

All dishes for diabetics, including those with mushrooms, must be prepared according to dietary methods. Disturbances in insulin production are often accompanied by other malfunctions of the pancreas, and therefore require a special approach to nutrition to prevent exacerbation.

Despite all the benefits of mushrooms, their coarse fiber can cause additional stress on the organ. Therefore, it is best to cook them for diabetes by finely chopping, stewing or boiling.

These can be mushroom soups-puree together with vegetables. Caviar is good for an appetizer (after boiling, mushrooms together with onions are lightly stewed in sunflower oil, then ground in a meat grinder). Peppers are stuffed with finely chopped mushrooms, rice and vegetables, cabbage rolls with the same filling are very tasty.

• Here is a recipe for stewed cabbage with mushrooms for diabetes.

Dried mushrooms are pre-soaked. In a deep frying pan or cauldron, lightly fry chopped fresh or softened dried ones, onions, carrots, and bell peppers. At this time, shred the white cabbage and scald it with boiling water (this will eliminate its unpleasant smell). Drain the water, combine with the fried mixture, stir until golden brown. Add salt, tomato juice or paste, a little hot water, cover with a lid, simmer over low heat for 30-40 minutes.