Is Pomegranate Good For Diabetic Patients?

Table of Content

• What is the Nutritional Value of Pomegranate?

• What is the Connection between Pomegranate and Diabetes?

• Is Pomegranate Fruit Good for Diabetic Patients?

• What are the Benefits of Pomegranate Fruit for Diabetics?

• How Much Pomegranate Can A Diabetic Eat?

• Other Health Benefits of Pomegranate Fruit

• Take-Home Points

• FAQ on Is Pomegranate Good For Diabetes?

Introduction

Pomegranate, the infamous ruby-red fruit, full of flavors , isn't just a fruit; it's an elixir of well-being waiting to impress your taste buds and revive your body. Peeling the pomegranate's outer covering reveals more than just its succulent seeds—it also reveals the mysteries of a wellness legacy spanning centuries. This ain't just your typical fruit; it's a ruby-red concoction that has travelled through time, valued by various cultures for its heavenly flavor and its capacity to restore vitality and health.

Pomegranates have many health benefits like antioxidant activity, antimicrobial action, anti-inflammatory action, anticarcinogenic activity, cardioprotective action, and antidiabetic activity. In the last 30 years, diabetes has established itself as a global public health problem, affecting urbanized regions significantly more than rural areas. As diabetes becomes one of the leading causes of death, the idea that a mere fruit can save you from it, definitely makes that fruit a boon to mankind. 

So read further as today we will tell you - Is Pomegranate Good For Diabetic Patients?

What is the Nutritional Value of Pomegranate?

The lovely red fruit, pomegranate, is a nutritional powerhouse with an incredible variety of vital nutrients that contribute to its reputation as a healthy and tasty fruit. In every 100 gm of pomegranate, the following is present:

What is the Connection between Pomegranate and Diabetes?

Diabetes is becoming more common worldwide, particularly in India. Diabetes patients grew from 7.1% in 2009 to nearly 9% in 2019. This percentage is expected to climb even further in the years to come. 

The best course of action for managing and controlling diabetes is multidisciplinary intervention, which involves encouraging lifestyle modifications like regular exercise and a healthy diet along with the right prescription that minimizes dosage and side effects from prolonged medication use. 

In this regard, research on compounds found in food that may have therapeutic or preventive effects on diabetes is of great and ongoing interest. These bioactive substances are risk-free, rarely cause side effects and can be easily consumed by everyone.

One such fruit with benefits against diabetes is pomegranate. It has various mechanisms that benefit people suffering from diabetes. These are:

• Delayed gastric emptying 

• Insulin sensitivity action 

• Glucose absorption inhibition

• Insulin secretory action 

• Enzyme restriction

Is Pomegranate Fruit Good for Diabetic Patients?

You must have heard about the glycemic index. What is the glycemic index? The glycemic index is a number assigned to foods based on how quickly and how high those foods cause increases in blood glucose levels and as a measure of how much glucose is released into the blood from food. When the glycemic index is low, glucose is released gradually and steadily; when it is high, glucose is released quickly..

Pomegranates have a low glycemic index, which implies they are not causing an increase in blood sugar levels. They also have a low glycemic index, making them suitable for those with diabetes.

Pomegranate aids in promoting a low glycemic index and enables reasonable glucose control through the slow and steady release of glucose.

Is pomegranate good for diabetes type 2?

Pomegranates are said to help with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas fails to produce sufficient insulin, resulting in irregularities in the hormone's metabolism. The affected person's energy metabolism and kidney function are subsequently impacted, and uncontrollably high blood glucose or sugar levels result from this.

Chronic inflammation is an important contributing factor to many serious diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus. Extremely effective at reducing inflammation, the punicalagin class of flavonoid antioxidants found in pomegranates helps ease the excruciating symptoms of high blood sugar, including weariness and muscle soreness.

Pomegranates are also slowly absorbed and digested due to their low glycemic index (GI of less than 55). While it contains carbohydrates, it is also high in fiber, which regulates appetite and hunger, and phenolic compounds, which aid in weight loss.

Is pomegranate good for diabetes type 1?

Type 1 diabetes is another type of diabetes in which the patient's immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in his pancreas and this startsat very young age. Insulin is a hormone that regulates your blood sugar levels. Patients suffering with type 1 diabetes have insufficient insulin synthesis due to the loss of insulin-producing cells, this results in excessive rise in blood sugar levels. Pomegranate is an excellent fruit for such individuals because it does not produce a rise in blood sugar levels. Thus consuming half a cup of pomegranate early morning or after exercises is great for these patients.

What are the Benefits of Pomegranate Fruit for Diabetics?

Pomegranate is a wonderful fruit that one can consider for the control of diabetes. This fruit is believed to be very beneficial when it comes to controlling blood sugar levels.

Pomegranates are rich in antioxidants which protect our body from damage caused by free radicals produced in our body. Not just that, Vitamins like vitamin C, vitK, and vit E are among the nutrients in this fruit that strengthen the immune system. Pomegranates are also full of dietary fiber, potassium, and folate, all of which help to keep blood sugar levels in check.

Pomegranates are thought to be effective in the treatment of diabetes in Middle Eastern countries, and they may even assist improve insulin sensitivity. Pomegranates are low in carbs thus get metabolized quickly and even help prevent blood sugar spikes. Pomegranate has a glycemic load of 18, making it an ideal fruit for blood sugar control.

How Much Pomegranate Can A Diabetic Eat?

Now the question arises how much pomegranates are to be eaten by a diabetic? Well, even though it is a good fruit choice for diabetics, moderation is the key. Too much of anything is harmful and so will be the case with pomegranates. The American Diabetes Association suggests a general guideline of about 15 grams of carbohydrates per serving for individuals with diabetes. For pomegranate, this would roughly translate to about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of pomegranate arils (seeds), which contains around 15 grams of carbohydrates every day 

Other Health Benefits of Pomegranate Fruit

1. Nutrient level - Pomegranates contain a variety of nutrients, like vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and are low in calories, making them ideal for individuals looking to reduce weight. Pomegranate juice, on the other hand, may not have as much fiber and Vitamin C as the fruit itself.

2. Antioxidant levels - Pomegranates are high in antioxidants that protect the cells in our body from free radical damage. These free radicals are believed to cause chronic diseases. Pomegranates are also rich in polyphenolic compounds such as punicalagin, anthocyanins and hydrolysable tannins.

3. Anti-inflammatory properties - As explained earlier pomegranates have punicalagins which have antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, preventing chronic inflammations.

4. Anti-Cancer properties - Pomegranates are said to have cancer-fighting properties.

5. Reducing kidney stones - Pomegranate extracts can even help prevent the formation of kidney stones. Studies have shown that pomegranate extract can help prevent the process that causes stone development in patients with recurring kidney stones.

6. Endurance - Polyphenols in pomegranates are believed to improve endurance in exercise.

7. Improving heart health - As mentioned earlier, polyphenols are also beneficial in preventing heart disease. Therefore all fruits rich in polyphenols are often recommended to heart patients.

8. Protecting oral health - Pomegranates may help in preventing tooth decay and bad breath by reducing the growth of germs that may contribute to those issues.

9. Protecting brain health - Pomegranates contain ellagitannins that may reduce inflammation and also increase the survival of brain cells thereby protecting against several brain diseases.

10. Protecting gut health - Pomegranate not only increases the levels of beneficial gut bacteria that help our gut health yet it also supports the gut from various digestive problems due to the presence of fiber.

Take-Home Points

Pomegranates are a fantastic food for blood sugar regulation since they are rich in antioxidants such as polyphenols, anti-diabetic compounds, and dietary fibre. The fruit also has a low GI and GL, which is advantageous for those who have high blood sugar. As a result, pomegranate juice and fruits are acceptable in moderation.