Introduction
We know that people who have diabetes have to take care of their blood sugar levels. The surge in glucose in the blood occurs due to the excess consumption of carbohydrates-rich food. But, if you choose your diet wisely by considering the GI (Glycemic Index) of carbohydrate-containing food, then consumption of carbohydrates won’t be a problem for you. Glycemic Index represents the rate of absorption, digestion, and metabolism of food. And if you are looking for fruits you can consume, the GI index matters a lot. But among all the fruits, is kiwi good for diabetes? Let us go into the depths of diabetes and kiwi fruit.
Types and Effects of Diabetes
There are two main types of diabetes, namely type-1 and type-2. Type-1 diabetes is caused due to autoimmune disorders, whereas type-2 is the result of lifestyle imbalance. There are various side effects of diabetes, including foot ulcers (non-healing wounds on the bottom of the foot), risk of getting cardiovascular disease, vision impairment, gum and dental problems, fatigue, stroke, nerve damage in some areas, and many more. Thus, it is essential to take extra care when you have diabetes.
Nutritional Value of Kiwi
Kiwi has nutrients which are beneficial for diabetic patients.
One kiwi (69g) contains:
Kiwi also has some other nutrients like iron, vitamin A, etc. in trace amounts. Apart from this, it has a low glycemic index of 50.
Benefits of Kiwi for Diabetes Patients
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Boost Immunity- Being rich in vitamin C boosts the body’s disease-fighting ability. Diabetes patients have less immunity due to diabetes. Thus, kiwi can help reduce this side effect of diabetes.
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Makes your heart healthy- Triglycerides increase the risk of heart diseases. Fibres present in kiwi help reduce the triglycerides present in the body.
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Prevention against blood clotting – Kiwi is a rich source of antioxidants like vitamin C and polyphenols. These antioxidants help prevent the problem of blood clotting, which may lead to heart blockage.
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Healthy Skin- Kiwi contains vitamin E, which is good for the skin. It helps in fighting against skin infections and inflammations.
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Improves digestion- Kiwi acts as a remarkable source of fibre. Fibre is known to be the best nutrient for good digestion and curing constipation.
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Lower bad cholesterol- The fibres and vitamins present in kiwi help reduce the level of bad cholesterol present in the body, thus helping maintain or decrease excess body weight.
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Prevents drastic increase in Glucose- Kiwi has a glycemic index of 50 that leads to slow digestion of glucose present in the body leading to prevention of adsorption of excess glucose in the blood.
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Sound sleep- Serotonins help in inducing faster and better sleep. These chemical compounds are present in the kiwi.
Thus, the above benefits may have answered your question: Is kiwi good for diabetes?
Precautions to be taken while Kiwi Consumption
Kiwi intake with certain medication or in excess may lead to health problems. They are as follows-
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The diabetic patients taking the beta-blocker medications show a rise in their blood potassium levels. Thus, the potassium intake must be controlled. As we know, kiwi is a good source of potassium; its excess consumption can be problematic for persons suffering from kidney problems.
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If you are taking a blood thinner, you must avoid consuming kiwi since it has Vitamin K, which helps in blood clotting.
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Some people are allergic to kiwi and should avoid the fruit. They develop rashes, hives, or swelling on the consumption of kiwi.
Different ways to consume Kiwi
You can consume kiwi by adding it to your fruit or vegetable salad. You can also eat kiwi with your oats, cornflakes or porridge. You can also add it to fruit juice to give it a tangy flavour.
Consumption of a maximum of 3 kiwis a day is recommended.
Conclusion
There are various side effects of diabetes on the body. These can be reduced to some extent by the consumption of kiwi. Kiwi is a rich source of certain nutrients which act as the blood glucose controlling agents. Also, it is good for the heart, which means it can help in reducing the risk of heart disease in a diabetic patient.