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Plum in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
Plum is known to everyone for its tasty, fleshy and juicy berries. This fruit tree is common in our gardens. It easily sprouts from the seeds and quickly reaches the fruiting age. In season, the berry is very affordable. Many housewives make preparations for the winter from it: marinate, make jams, preserves and compotes. How healthy is it and can you eat plums if you have diabetes?
What fruits can be eaten with diabetes type 1 and 2?
Fruits in our lives are not only a tasty treat, but also healthy food, an arsenal of many nutrients necessary for the normal functioning of our body. A separate type of them cannot contain all the important nutrients, so we try to diversify our menu with different types of them, especially in the summer. [ 1 ]
Fruits owe their excellent taste to the presence of sugars and carbohydrates. What should diabetics do in this case? What fruits can be eaten with type 1 and type 2 diabetes? How can you nourish your body without harming it?
The diet menu for diabetes should be dominated by fruits with low sugar content. Fruits that are safe for this disease include:
- apricots (17 kcal and 4 g carbohydrates);
- kiwi (56 kcal and 13 g, respectively);
- oranges (62 kcal and 15 g);
- grapefruits (39 kcal and 9 g);
- pears (58k and 14g);
- apples (40-50 kcal and 14 g, depending on the variety).
Can you eat plums if you have diabetes?
To answer this question, you need to understand the chemical composition of the berry. In 100 g of its weight there is most water (86%), about 10% carbohydrates, 1.5% dietary fiber, its energy value is on average 50 kcal.
This information does not give a clear answer, because on the one hand, plums have low calorie content, on the other hand, they contain quite a lot of sugar. The good GI will resolve the dispute - 22 U, which means that the absorption of carbohydrates is slow. Plums can be consumed with diabetes, but only fresh ones, because in jams, purees, dried, and cured ones, the concentration of sugars increases significantly. Another important condition is to know the limit: savor, and do not overeat. Moreover, studies have proven the antihyperglycemic effect of plums in obesity and type 2 diabetes. [ 2 ]
Plums for high sugar
In which row are plums located and can they be eaten with diabetes type 1 and 2? This berry is low in calories (46 kcal), carbohydrates in it are 11 g per 100 g of weight and a low glycemic index (only 22 units), which is very important for diabetes.
Does plum increase blood sugar? Due to its high fiber content, it slows down the absorption of glucose, which reduces the load on the physiological mechanisms that regulate glycemia. By sticking to a reasonable dose of 200 g of plum daily, consumed before the main meal, you can get the maximum effect without the risk of harming yourself.
Plum for gestational diabetes
This type of diabetes is detected in pregnant women. The pregnancy is under constant medical supervision, various laboratory test indicators are periodically monitored, including the blood glucose level. If its value is 5.1 mmol/l or higher, gestational diabetes is diagnosed.
Decreased tissue sensitivity to insulin is associated with hormonal changes in the body and imposes certain restrictions on nutrition. At a time when the fetus requires building material, the foundation of the baby's health is laid, you have to limit yourself to healthy, but sugar-containing products.
Plums do not have a strict taboo; fresh berries can be consumed by pregnant women, but in reasonable quantities. [ 3 ]
Plum juice for diabetes
All juices are divided into freshly prepared and canned, in which sugar is used as a preservative. The latter are prohibited for diabetes. Fresh plum juice with pulp in a volume corresponding to the recommended daily dose, diluted with boiled water 1:1 is acceptable. It is also effective in reducing cognitive impairment, [ 4 ] reduces cholesterol levels in the brain and the expression of proteins associated with neurodegenerative processes. [ 5 ]
Benefits
What are the benefits of these juicy, fleshy and delicious berries? The beneficial properties of plums are due to the presence of many microelements: potassium, calcium, sodium, iodine, zinc, manganese, magnesium. They contain vitamins A, C, E, beta-carotene, a large list of B vitamins, mono- and disarides, glucose, sucrose, fructose, omega-6 and saturated fatty acids. They are a source of choline, beta-carotene, riboflavin, vitamin E, PP, niacin, pyridoxine, but most of all they contain ascorbic acid. Of the minerals, potassium predominates, in smaller doses calcium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, silicon and others.
The berry can boost immunity, has laxative and diuretic properties, strengthens blood vessels, normalizes blood circulation, removes toxins, and has a beneficial effect on vision. It gently cleanses the intestines, promoting peristalsis. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-allergic properties, and improves memory.
How will such a composition affect the health of a diabetic? Plums have a positive effect on strengthening the immune system, accelerate regenerative processes, improve the functioning of the circulatory system, organs of vision, prevent the development of osteoporosis and arthritis, remove slags and toxins, they have an excellent diuretic and laxative effect.
Yellow plum is one of the varieties of its many varieties. It is also rich in pectins, vitamins and minerals, antioxidants and helps to stabilize blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, and prevents the formation of plaques inside blood vessels. In terms of taste, it is in no way inferior to blue varieties, and its caloric content is even slightly lower. In case of diabetes, yellow berries have the right to be included in the patient's menu in moderate quantities (up to 200 g). [ 6 ]
Plums can be harmful to people with rheumatism, gout, gallstones, and to diabetics if eaten uncontrollably. These diagnoses are contraindications to eating the fruit.