Due to shift in our preferences of food, it has also caused increases in the number of health issues in people. Numbers of diabetic patients have significantly increased over the last decade which is also a cause of serious concern. Diet plays an important role in determining the health condition and nutrients in the body, some of these nutrients provide protection against serious diseases such as diabetes. There are some fruits and foods that have been claimed beneficial to prevent and control diabetes in people. Guava is one of them and therefore we will know the reason why you should include guava in your diet if you are a diabetic patient.
Guava for Diabetes
Guava has been one of the fruits that has been disregarded and neglected most of the times. We often talk of apples, berries, banana and other fruits for health ailments but guava also plays a significant role. We consulted Ms. Indu Mehta, Dietician and Consultant in Fatima Hospital, Lucknow to understand the benefits of guava for diabetic person. She told that guava is an anti-inflammatory food which also has nutrients such as potassium, fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants in it.
These nutrients present in guava helps to control blood insulin levels, pancreas functions and other problems that occur in diabetes. Blood sugar is not able to store in cells when pancreas functions are affected, guava has nutrients that helps to keep it in check and combat triggers that may affect diabetes. Here are some reasons that you must have guava in your diet, especially if you have diabetes.
Guava benefits for Controlling Diabetes
1. Guava has low glycemic index
Low glycemic index foods are better for your health because they contain less calories and provide you with more nutrition. Guava has this quality of getting digested very easily. It is also absorbed gradually in the stomach and is therefore does not let glucose levels rise. It provides gradual rise in glucose in blood that helps to control your diabetes.
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2. Rich in Fiber fruit
Guava is rich in fiber and is therefore great to keep your blood sugar levels in check. This is because fruit rich in fiber takes a longer time to digest and could be beneficial in keeping the bloodstream flow going. Diabetic people need digestible fruits that get into blood gradually so they do not get into hypo situation.
3. Guava is low in calories
As mentioned earlier as well, guava is very low in calories therefore it does not affect your weight. Weight management is a prominent factor that could affect diabetic people in taking them to health adversities. Excessive weight can increase chances of high blood sugar in the body as the vessels are pressurized. According to a data given by United States Department of Agriculture, Guava contains just 68 calories and has natural sugar that is considered very beneficial for a diabetic person.
4. Rich source of vitamin C
You may think that citrus fruits such as oranges have higher amount of vitamin C in them, but it is not true. Guava has four times more vitamin C than any other fruit, especially orange, therefore it is considered an important part of diabetes diet. Guavas help to build a stronger immune system and help to fight chronic diseases such as diabetes. It is also considered as essential fruit because it prevents diabetes from getting out of control.
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5. Low in sodium and high potassium
A diabetic person needs to control the amount of sodium in his diet as it could be very problematic and lead to health complications. Guava is low in sodium content and at the same time has high potassium in it that is essential nutrients for diabetes management. Guava can help to maintain the balance between nutrient contents and provide benefits to your health at the same time.
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