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Strawberries with type 1 and 2 diabetes

Medical expert of the article

Endocrinologist
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024

Beautiful and juicy strawberries leave no one indifferent. During the whole berry season, we are trying to get enough full of ripe, fragrant fruits, because this period is so fleeting. And, if eating healthy berries is useful for healthy people, is it possible to have strawberries in diabetes?

What berries are allowed to eat with diabetes?

Berry bushes and fruit trees are the main suppliers of vitamin and mineral components for the body. For people with diabetes, it is important that such beneficial compounds are available continuously and in sufficient quantities. Vitamins present in the berry and fruit pulp, improve immunity, facilitate the function of the pancreas. In addition, many of them contribute to a decrease or normalization of the sugar content in the bloodstream, since they ensure the entry of a new portion of insulin into the circulatory system.

Consuming sufficient portions of fiber is another need for diabetes. It is fiber that helps “expel” the “bad” cholesterol from the body, stabilize the sugar level, prevent the development of obesity.

Which berries are allowed for diabetic patients? These are blueberries, raspberries, gooseberries, currants and even strawberries. All marked berries have a low glycemic level and in adequate quantities will not cause damage to a sick person. But we must not forget that it is preferable to use any herbal products fresh, not thermally processed. In addition, you can not add honey and, especially, sugar.

What fruits can you eat with diabetes? It is allowed to add apples, pears, apricots, oranges and grapefruits, kiwi and lemons to the diet. These fruits will not lead to a significant glucose level difference, therefore they will not harm a person with diabetes. Of course, the volumes eaten should remain reasonable, and even allowed apples should not be eaten in pounds.

Is it possible to eat strawberries with type 1 and 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is usually divided into two types of course: it is type 1, or insulin-dependent diabetes, and type 2, or insulin-independent diabetes. Insulin-dependent pathology used to be called "youthful", as people of 20-35 years are ill with it. Type 2 diabetes is considered more common, many people of different age categories suffer from this type.

The principles of nutrition for type 1 and type 2 diabetes are mostly similar. First of all, this is an exception to the so-called fast carbohydrates in the form of sugar and sweets. However, it is impossible to completely abandon carbohydrates, because it is a necessary component of the normal metabolism. Patients with diabetes are advised to replenish their glucose reserves by consuming certain types of fruits and berries, including strawberries.

For some expectant mothers, the question of whether strawberries can be included in the menu for diabetes is also an urgent one. We are talking about women who have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes - a disorder that occurs during pregnancy and safely disappears after the birth of a baby. The reason for this violation is to reduce the sensitivity of cellular structures to insulin, which is explained by a sharp jump in the hormonal level. After the baby is born, the level of glucose in the blood usually stabilizes, however, there is a certain risk that the gestational form of the disease will turn into full type 2 diabetes. To this transformation did not happen, it is very important to adhere to a special diet. In addition, the diet is needed in the period of gestation, in order not to harm and not disturb the intrauterine growth and development of the future baby.

Women with gestational diabetes are allowed to use strawberries, but in small amounts, up to about 400 g per day. It is very important that the berries are fresh, do not contain nitrates and other toxic substances, so it is better to choose strawberries, in the safety of which there is strict confidence.

As you can see, strawberry with diabetes will only benefit, provided it is properly consumed in moderation. Abuse berries, include in the diet of unripe or suspicious-looking strawberries should not even healthy people who do not suffer from endocrine pathologies and diabetes.

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Strawberries with elevated sugar

Endocrinologists advise to add strawberries to the diet with increased sugar in the bloodstream, since this berry contains a large number of important components that are extremely necessary for the sick body. What are the beneficial qualities of strawberry diabetes?

  • Strengthens immune defense.
  • Improves the condition of the blood vessels.
  • Prevents the development of atherosclerosis.
  • Improves blood properties, prevents blood clots.
  • Stabilizes blood pressure.

A large set of antioxidants present in strawberries speeds up metabolic processes at the cell level, prevents the intracellular accumulation of toxic substances, and regulates the level of sugar. If you use strawberries in diabetes regularly, you can contribute to weight loss, optimize bowel function, and improve the absorption capacity of the small intestinal mucosa.

In addition, strawberry is a strong antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent. This property is important for patients suffering from diabetes, as they have a slowdown of the regenerative processes, and even a small tissue damage can transform into a long sluggish wound.

trusted-source[3], [4], [5], [6]

The benefits and harms of strawberries in diabetes

Limiting changes in nutrition is one of the prerequisites that a diabetic patient must fulfill. However, strawberries are not included in the list of prohibited products for diabetes, as it is more acidic and less sweet berries, with a low glycemic index.

There is evidence that diabetes strawberries will help stabilize the level of glucose in the bloodstream. And this is not surprising, because one small cup of berries contains at least 3 g of fiber.

Strawberries are low-calorie and on average contain 45 kcal per 100 g. After consuming just one glass of berries, you can get at least 11 g of protein, 12 g of carbohydrates and 1 g of fat. Among other things, strawberries can boast a high content of ascorbic and folic acid, B-group vitamins, as well as many minerals, including magnesium and potassium, phosphorus and iron, iodine and calcium, zinc, cobalt, selenium, etc.

A wide list of useful components allows you to protect the body at the cellular level, to improve the course of oxidative processes. A high content of polyphenols (dietary fiber) retards the absorption of glucose in the digestive system, which contributes to a more smooth and gradual increase in the level of sugar in the bloodstream, without intensive spikes.

In some cases, you should still be careful not to add strawberries to your diet?

Experts do not recommend eating berries in diabetes on an empty stomach, especially when there are problems with the digestive tract - for example, with hyperacid gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastroduodenitis. You also need to be careful if diabetes in a patient is combined with urolithiasis, cystitis, gout. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the high allergenic ability of strawberries: if the patient suffers from hypersensitivity and a tendency to allergic reactions, then it is desirable to minimize the use of strawberries.


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