Watermelon for diabetes: benefits and features of consumption. Nitrate accumulation indicators

Watermelon is healthy dietary product. However, the presence of sugars raises doubts about the benefits sweet berries for people with insulin dependence. We will find out whether it is possible to eat watermelons if you have diabetes, and in what quantity, based on the specifics of the disease.

Diabetes and diet

Our body is a finely tuned system. To break down foods, enzymes produced by the pancreas are required. But the endocrine system gives the command. Insulin is required to break down sugar. If it is not produced in the body, then the person dies from excess sugar in the blood. Therefore, insulin is given through injections over a certain period of time.

There is type 1 diabetes, in which insulin is not produced at all. Such a person lives only on external nutrition with the help of insulin injections. Closer to old age, due to many factors, including obesity, the body's cells refuse to break down carbohydrates, despite the fact that insulin is produced in the body and is in the blood in the required concentration. This is type 2 diabetes or non-insulin dependent.

Diabetes mellitus cannot be cured, but through weight loss and a strict diet, it is possible to alleviate the patient’s condition and the amount of medications taken. In order to understand whether diabetics can have watermelon, you need to understand the criteria for choosing foods for the diet. Diets for diabetics are prescribed based on two indicators:

glycemic index(GI);
bread index (XE).

The glycemic index is a relative unit. It allows you to judge how quickly nutrients in the form of carbohydrates are released and how quickly they enter the blood. In this case, it is not the calorie content of the product that is important, but its rapid or gradual entry into the blood. The activity of glucose, a pure carbohydrate, is taken as 100 units. This means that the blood sugar level from consuming glucose increases by 100%. However, there are products that increase the release of sugar even more, for example, dried apricots.

The index is believed to indicate the body's response to food, regardless of quantity. But the amount affects how long your blood sugar lasts and the amount of insulin needed to block. Therefore, for diabetics, overeating watermelon can cause great harm with certain symptoms.

The bread index shows how much sugar enters the bloodstream after eating foods containing carbohydrates. The standard is a 1 cm piece of bread, cut from a standard loaf and weighing 20 g. In order for such food to be processed in the body without increasing sugar, 2 units of insulin are required.

Daily norm of XE for people:

sedentary work – 20;
diabetics – 15;
for obesity – 10.

The benefits and harms of eating watermelon for diabetics

is a dietary product containing up to 10% sugar. However, the composition of sugars is mainly represented by fructose, and it is broken down without the participation of insulin. A limited inclusion of sweet berries in the menu is useful, as the body receives a supply of minerals, folic acid and other significant elements. Concomitant use Eating a large portion of watermelon can cause an increase in blood sugar. And excess fructose will be stored as fat.

To include watermelon in your diet, you should consult your doctor. To balance XE and GI, the diet is temporarily revised and other foods are excluded.

In this case, 135 g of watermelon is considered to be equal to 1 XE, 40 Kcal and has a GI of 75. This means that eating watermelon increases blood sugar by 75%, and it should be eaten in small portions, 200 g each, and up to 4 times a day. This only applies to type 1 diabetics.

For insulin-independent patients, you can consume no more than 200 g of watermelon per day, and it is better to eat it with bread. An important indicator for those who are watching their weight, watermelon has a high GI. This indicates rapid absorption of the product and a subsequent feeling of hunger. The patient may develop stress from restricting food intake. Therefore, watermelon is a food of concern for type 2 diabetes. To fight with overweight Type 2 diabetics cannot include watermelon in their diet.

Research has shown that fructose is not harmless. Consuming more than 90 g of it per day causes obesity, and its constant presence in the diet can provoke type 2 diabetes. Such people have a larger appetite, which leads to excess weight.

Contained in daily consumption 800 grams of fructose does not require splitting. This means that 40 g of fructose does not require 8 units of insulin, based on XE. At the same time, the body receives useful substances from the pulp and is the most useful product from summer greens and fruits. However a large number of fructose threatens the opposite phenomenon - obesity, problems with cardiac activity. This has been proven latest research scientists.

Useful properties watermelon pulp are:

diuretics;
strengthens the heart and liver;
improves hematopoiesis and fluid circulation through the system of arteries and veins;
cleanses the liver from obesity;
cleans deposits on joints and atherosclerosis.

The saturation of the pulp with 14 elements necessary for the functioning of all body systems allows the use of fewer substitute medications. The magnesium present in the berry is vital for the patient. He calms down stressful state, improves heart function, stops the deposition of salts in the form of stones. It also helps eliminate cholesterol.

Can diabetics eat watermelon products? You should not drink juice precisely because of the concentrated composition of sugars. The use of nardek or watermelon honey is contraindicated. This processed product contains 90% sugars. Watermelon oil is welcome in the diet of patients. In this case, the product must be unrefined, first cold pressed.

An incurable serious illness dictates a nutritional program, but the body must receive necessary substances. The menu can be changed, but at the same time take into account the advice of a nutritionist.

Watermelon for diabetes - video

Diabetes mellitus is a disease in which you need to monitor your diet very carefully. After all, food alone can provoke an exacerbation of the disease and a significant deterioration in one’s own condition. That is why now I would like to talk about whether it is possible to eat watermelon if you have diabetes.

A little about watermelons

With the arrival of summer, patients diabetes mellitus There are many temptations in the form of berries, fruits and other natural delicacies. And I want to eat everything that hangs on the bushes and trees. However, the disease dictates its conditions and before eating something, a person thinks: “Will this berry or fruit benefit me?”

No one will argue that watermelon itself is healthy. So, this berry (watermelon is exactly a berry!) has an excellent diuretic effect, helps remove various toxins and harmful elements, while positively affecting the liver and the entire cardiovascular system. It should also be noted that watermelon is actively used in weight loss diets, helping the body gain the desired weight.

Important indicators of watermelon

When figuring out whether it is possible to eat watermelon if you have diabetes, you need to take into account numerical indicators. What do you need to know about this berry?

Scientists equate the weight of a watermelon with rind to 260 grams to one grain unit.
100 grams of pure watermelon contain only 40 kcal.
At the same time, it is also important to remember that (an indicator of the influence of a certain food on blood sugar levels) of this berry is 72. And this is a lot.

About type 1 diabetes

Let’s move on and figure out whether it’s possible to eat watermelon if you have diabetes. So, everyone knows that there are types I and type II diabetes. Depending on this, nutritional rules also vary. For type 1 diabetes, this berry can and even should be eaten. After all, there is little sugar in it, and all the sweetness is provided by fructose. To absorb everything that is in watermelon, the patient does not need insulin at all. That is, blood sugar levels will not change significantly. But only if you eat no more than 800 grams of watermelon. And this is the maximum figure. The norm is approximately 350-500 grams. At the same time, it is also important to exclude other carbohydrate-containing foods so as not to harm your body.

About type 2 diabetes

Is it possible to eat watermelon if you have type II diabetes? Here the situation is somewhat different than described above. With this form of the disease, you need to be extremely careful with all the food that enters the body. In this case, it is very important to comply strict diet without consuming too much glucose. The patient, of course, can eat about 150-200 grams of this aromatic and delicious berries. But at the same time you will also have to change your entire daily diet.

The second point, which is also important: with type 2 diabetes, people most often have excess body weight. So, it is very important to monitor the indicators, constantly influencing the normalization of these numbers. If you eat watermelon (mostly liquid), it will lead to end result to the fact that the patient will want to eat after a while (the intestines and stomach will stretch). And as a result, the feeling of hunger increases. And in this case it is very difficult to follow any diet. Disruptions occur and the body is harmed. So is it possible to eat watermelons if you have type II diabetes? It is possible, but in very small quantities. It is best to avoid consuming this berry altogether.

About other properties of watermelon

Watermelon also has others beneficial features. For example, it helps quench thirst. So, is it possible to eat watermelon for diabetes mellitus if the patient is thirsty? Of course you can. And even necessary. After all, this berry contains large quantities of fiber, pectin and water. But at the same time, you need to remember that it is important to observe the dosage of its consumption depending on the type of disease and general condition patient's health.

When figuring out whether people with diabetes can eat watermelons, you need to answer that this berry can be included as one of the ingredients in the most different dishes. And it can be not only fruit salads, where its pulp is used. There are many various dishes, where ripe watermelon is used. At the same time, accessible and permitted for diabetics. So, to diversify your own diet, you can look for interesting solutions for using watermelon in a variety of, sometimes even unexpected, variations of cooking.

Watermelon for diabetes

Diabetics can eat watermelon in small quantities. These berries are more than 90% water, but contain a lot of simple sugars (7.55 g per 100 g of product) and have a high glycemic index. They also cause a large, sharp rise in blood sugar and prompt the body to produce insulin.

To maintain blood sugar levels, diabetic patients should not eat foods containing too many carbohydrates. To control the intake of sugars, the so-called. bread units. 1 bread unit is 120 g of watermelon. For comparison, a quarter of a medium banana contains the same amount, about 10 grapes, 1 tablespoon of raisins.

Watermelon is a sweet melon crop. It’s not surprising that many diabetics wonder – is it possible to eat it? In the article about diet No. 9, I did not mention this product on the list and asked the same question - how watermelon and diabetes are combined. First, a little information about this berry.

Watermelon is included by botanists in the pumpkin family and has a green rind with sweet, red flesh;
Contains no fat or cholesterol. But it contains a lot nutrients, vitamins A, B6, C and potassium, also a little protein;
Does not cause allergies;
Low on carbohydrates. It contains less carbohydrates than, for example, apples or;
The proportion of glucose in watermelon is negligible, which makes this product acceptable for diabetics;
The presence of fructose gives it a sweet taste. By the way, fructose is well absorbed by the body;
Nutritionists have calculated that one piece of watermelon weighing 260 g (with peel) is equal to 1 unit of bread.

Watermelon does not contain large amounts of sugar. Moreover, the presence of fructose in it makes it even useful for diabetics. Diabetics can consume up to about 50 grams of fructose per day; it is absorbed by the body without the need for insulin. By the way, 1 kilogram of watermelon contains approximately 35-40 grams. fructose.

When eating watermelon, you should not be afraid of the presence of sugars in it. Why? Watermelon consists of plant fibers, and they prevent rapid absorption sugar in the blood. Even diabetics with the second degree can eat about 200-300 grams. watermelon a day.

However, I want to emphasize that if you have diabetes, you should eat watermelon in moderation! Overeating watermelon can cause an increase in blood sugar. Watermelon should be included in the diet, taking into account the consumption of other foods and the calculation of carbohydrates. Many endocrinologists believe that watermelon should be eaten with bread. But this is at the discretion of the doctor.

Source: http://blog-o-diabete.livejournal.com/21705.html

Watermelon for diabetes: why is it possible?

The period when you can enjoy such delicious and healthy treat, like a watermelon, is very short - only about 2 months. It's no secret that early watermelons, sold here in June-July, are saturated with all sorts of chemicals that stimulate them accelerated maturation, and only in August-September you can buy ripe fruits naturally, that is, really useful.

Naturally, in this short period we all strive to eat our fill of this delicacy, and patients with diabetes are no exception. However, the sweet taste of watermelon makes them seriously think about the question: is watermelon allowed for diabetes?

Composition and properties of watermelon from the point of view of a diabetic

To answer this question, let's first remember the composition of watermelon. This fruit contains practically no proteins and fats (there are less than 0.5% of them in a watermelon), but the amount of carbohydrates greatly depends on the variety and degree of ripeness and in the ripest watermelons of some varieties it can reach up to 9-10%. It would seem that foods with such a carbohydrate content should be almost a complete taboo for diabetics. But it is not all that bad.

The fact is that most of the carbohydrates contained in watermelon are fructose. It was once considered the best and practically harmless sugar substitute, but now the opinion of nutritionists is not so clear. According to a number of recent studies, fructose, to a much greater extent than glucose, is processed by our body into fats and stored “in reserve.”

It is the active consumption of foods and drinks containing large amounts of fructose that many doctors consider one of the main causes of mass obesity among residents of developed countries. On the other hand, fructose does not require insulin for its absorption.

True, in the body of diabetics, according to the same studies, it can also stimulate an increase in glucose levels, but this process is much slower than when consuming foods containing large amounts of glucose and/or sucrose directly in their composition.

The glycemic index of watermelon is quite high - 75; one corresponds, depending on the variety and ripeness, to 120-150 grams of watermelon. Let us also remind you that watermelon contains a lot of water and fiber, but it cannot boast of abundance.

So is it possible to eat watermelon if you have diabetes?

Based on the above data, doctors now give the following recommendations: you can eat watermelon for diabetes, but little by little. For type 1 diabetes single dose should not exceed 200 grams of pulp, daily - 600-800 grams. For type 2 diabetes, the norm is lower: no more than 100 grams at a time and 200-300 per day. At the same time, it is necessary to reduce the consumption of other carbohydrate-containing products to a minimum.

And further. Before trying watermelon, a diabetic patient should consult a doctor who, depending on the condition of a particular patient, the characteristics of the disease in him, the presence of other pathologies, can very significantly correct the above figures, and in some cases, even prohibit eat watermelons.

Source: http://comp-doctor.ru/diabet/diabet-arbuz.php

Is it possible to eat watermelon with diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2: recommendations from nutritionists

Diabetes mellitus (abbreviated as DM) - serious illness endocrine system, developing as a result of relative or absolute deficiency of the hormone insulin. - increase in blood glucose levels.

Attention!

DM is characterized by a violation of all types of metabolism - water-salt, carbohydrate, fat, mineral, protein. Diabetes affects children and adults, as well as some species of mammals, particularly cats and dogs.

The disease can be conditionally divided into two main types - 1 (insulin-dependent) and 2 (non-insulin-dependent). previously called juvenile, since this disease affects mainly young people under 30 years of age. most patients are susceptible, about 85%, of whom only a quarter have normal weight, and the rest are overweight or obese.

The main goal Treatment of patients with diabetes of any form of the disease is to reduce blood sugar and normalize all types of metabolic processes in the body. Treatment methods vary depending on the type of disease: patients with type 1 require insulin injections, those with type 2 diabetes are prescribed, and sometimes blood glucose levels can only be normalized with proper nutrition.

100 grams of watermelon contain from 5 to 10 grams. Sahara. However, when you consume a serving of watermelon, your blood glucose level increases. Some people need to carefully monitor their daily watermelon servings. Is this fruit healthy, or should you limit your consumption? In this article we will cover this topic.

First of all, let's look at the basic composition of watermelon. This fruit contains up to 13% easily digestible sugars, namely fructose, glucose and sucrose. Interesting fact that sucrose accumulates in the right amount precisely during the storage of watermelon.

In addition to sugars, the pulp contains such important elements, How:

Water – 80-90%
Pectin – 0.68%
Fiber – 0.54%
Ascorbic acid – up to 0.008%
Bioflavonoids – 0.132%

In addition, watermelon contains calcium, sodium, magnesium, proteins, phosphorus, potassium, iron, folic acid, carotene, as well as alkaline substances. The bones also contain healthy vitamins and substances:

linoleic, linolenic and palmitic acids;
amino acids (phenylalanine, oxylysine, threonine, citrulline, valine, isoleucine);
magnesium, calcium and iron salts.

Watermelon kernels contain approximately 50% fatty oil.

Is watermelon good or bad?

Useful properties of watermelon sufficient quantity. First of all, it is worth noting that the fruit helps reduce blood pressure, has a beneficial effect on heart function and reduces the risk of developing cancer.

In addition, watermelon:

first of all, people suffering from diabetes;
with impaired urine outflow;
with fluid retention in the body;
when the body is dehydrated;
patients with cardiovascular problems;
people with large kidney stones.

Consumption of watermelon for diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2

Particular attention should be paid to the sugar content of watermelon. This information will be very useful for patients suffering from diabetes. The composition of sugar is determined by the amount of fructose in the berry. Since its fiber content is minimal, sugar cannot be fully absorbed in the body.

During the research, the beneficial properties of watermelon for diabetes were identified, such as:

Normalization of liver function;
Maintenance and restoration of skin cells;
Heart nutrition;
Restoration of vessel walls;
Providing and maintaining the antioxidant process in organs and tissues.

One more important for patients with diabetes mellitus, the presence of magnesium in watermelon is beneficial. The body needs it to reduce nervous excitability, strengthen intestinal function, help lower cholesterol, and also prevent the formation of gallstones.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is characterized by a relative deficiency of insulin levels in the blood. This disease is most developed in children, adolescents and adults under 30 years of age. Mandatory monitoring of sugar levels is required, as well as insulin dose adjustment and strict adherence to the injection schedule. Therefore, before enjoying watermelon, you must remember that 260 gr. watermelon with peel corresponds to 1 bread unit (XE).

Considering how much sugar is in watermelon, today the consumption of watermelon is 100-200 grams. about four times a day is quite acceptable. That is, per day permissible norm is 700-800 gr.

With type 2 diabetes mellitus you need to pay attention great attention diet. Even a small portion of watermelon contributes to the sharp effect. Therefore, it must be clearly remembered that the recommended daily norm the fruit should not exceed 300 grams!

Note!

Despite the seemingly established daily norms, a patient with diabetes must remember the following:

No need to switch to promoted ones Lately watermelon diets to avoid irreparable consequences.
The glycemic index of the berry is 70. For diabetics, this is an impressive figure. This means that the feeling of fullness from this product goes away quite quickly.
Watermelon has a diuretic effect, so if the body is dehydrated, the fruit should not be consumed.
When you have watermelon in your diet, be sure to keep the amount of carbohydrates in other foods to a minimum.
It is not recommended to immediately eat the daily amount of fruit.
Watermelons treated with 40% phosphamide, for which the period from treatment to harvest is less than 14 days, is not recommended.

To sum it up, we can say that consuming watermelon for diabetes mellitus, strictly following the daily norms, will not harm at all, and will even be very useful. It is necessary to eat watermelon with a small piece of bread, as some endocrinologists consider this the safest. However, it is worth checking this version with your doctor.

Limit your watermelon to servings of 150-200 grams. It is also worth it for people who are overweight. In addition, it is necessary to limit foods that contain carbohydrates. It would be very interesting to try watermelon in the form of a summer cocktail or fresh juice with the addition of, for example, mint or lime juice.

The content of the article:

Watermelon for diabetes is an opportunity to diversify a meager diet. Eating a sweet, low-calorie product helps you recover quickly after physical activity, prevent the development of hypoglycemia, increase immunity and improve mood. The main thing is not to use this product out of season and learn how to correctly create a daily menu.

Can you eat watermelon if you have diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a disease of the endocrine system, the main symptom of which is metabolic disorders, in particular carbohydrates. Regardless of the type of illness, doctors prescribe to patients special food.

Main principle menu planning - practically complete failure from sugar. However, patients can introduce some fruits and berries into their diet. They contain natural sugar, and they have a low glycemic index. Watermelon is also included in this list of permitted products.

Before talking about the compatibility of watermelon and diabetes, including this product in the menu, it is recommended to find out what beneficial substances are included in its composition, what healing properties it has and when, nevertheless, its use should be abandoned.

The calorie content of watermelon is 27 kcal per 100 g of product, of which:

Proteins - 0.7 g;
Fats - 0.1 g;
Carbohydrates - 5.8 g;
Dietary fiber - 0.4;
Ash - 0.4;
Water - 92.6.

Vitamins per 100 g:

Vitamin B3 - 0.3 mg;
Beta-carotene - 0.1 mg;
Vitamin A, retinol - 17 mcg;
Vitamin B1, thiamine - 0.04 mg;
Vitamin B2, riboflavin - 0.06 mg;
Vitamin B5, pantothenic acid- 0.2 mg;
Vitamin B6, pyridoxine - 0.09 mg;
Vitamin B9, folic acid - 8 mcg;
Vitamin C, ascorbic acid- 7 mg;
Vitamin E, alpha-tocopherol - 0.1 mg;
Vitamin PP, NE - 0.3 mg;
Niacin - 0.2 mg.

Minerals per 100 g:

Calcium - 14 mg;
Magnesium - 12 mg;
Sodium - 16 mg;
Potassium - 110 mg;
Phosphorus - 14 mg;
Iron - 1 mg.

Essential amino acids per 100 g - 0.169 g, of which:

Arginine - 0.018 g;
Valine - 0.01 g;
Histidine - 0.008 g;
Isoleucine - 0.02 g;
Leucine - 0.018 g;
Lysine - 0.064 g;
Methionine - 0.006 g;
Methionine + Cysteine - 0.01 g;
Threonine - 0.028 g;
Tryptophan - 0.007 g;
Phenylalanine - 0.016 g;
Phenylalanine + Tyrosine - 0.03 g.

Essential amino acids per 100 g - 0.583 g, of which:

Alanine - 0.034 g;
Aspartic acid - 0.342 g;
Glycine - 0.029 g;
Glutamic acid- 0.095 g;
Proline - 0.02 g;
Serine - 0.023 g;
Tyrosine - 0.012 g;
Cysteine - 0.002 g.

Digestible carbohydrates per 100 g:

Starch and dextrins - 0.1 g;
Fructose - 4.3 g;
Glucose (dextrose) - 2.4 g;
Sucrose - 2 g.

Important! When introducing a sweet fruit into your diet, it is advisable to consult an endocrinologist.

The benefits of watermelon for diabetes

Most endocrinologists are skeptical about such a dietary supplement for diabetes, believing that even with correct calculation of the daily menu, it is not worth risking your health. However, with a properly formulated diet, there is no threat to health.

Moreover, watermelon is great for replacing foods containing easily digestible carbohydrates. The nutritional value the fruit is low, it contains many useful substances, fiber and water, it provides beneficial influence on the body, improves mood, increases immune status.

Let's take a closer look at what useful action What watermelon does to the body of people suffering from diabetes:

Due to the high fiber content and increased rate of peristalsis, glucose does not have time to be absorbed in full.
Watermelon helps get rid of edema, which often occurs in diabetics due to low metabolic rates.
In most cases, stage 2 diabetes develops due to obesity or organ dysfunction digestive system. Watermelon, due to its antioxidant effect, isolates free radicals, accumulating in the liver and intestines, and accelerates their excretion in bile.
When metabolic processes accelerate, “extra” cholesterol does not have time to be deposited on the walls of blood vessels. Eating watermelon helps prevent atherosclerosis, stroke, and heart attack.
Diabetes significantly reduces sexual function men. Thanks to the high amount of citrulline in the pulp, potency is restored.
Impaired pancreatic function in diabetes can provoke atypical reactions of the body and the appearance of neoplasms. Lycopene in watermelon stops malignancy.

Contraindications and harm of watermelon for diabetes

Against the background of pancreatic dysfunction, other organic pathologies, in which the introduction of a sweet addition to the diet is completely excluded. These include:

Acute pancreatitis. In this case, the pancreas is inflamed, and increasing the load on it is deadly.
Urolithiasis and cholelithiasis . The removal of large stones causes acute pain; in diabetes, pain relief is problematic.
Diarrhea and colitis. In such conditions, dehydration occurs due to accelerated peristalsis. Against the background of diabetes mellitus and dehydration, they accumulate in the blood. ketone bodies. If diarrhea is not eliminated, a diabetic coma may develop within 3-4 hours.
Peptic ulcer. The load on the body increases, intestinal motility increases, intestinal gases are produced, which irritate the mucous membrane of the digestive tract.

Should not be included in the diet watermelon juice. With the same GI, the calorie content of the drink is higher than that of watermelon pulp - 38 kcal per 100 g, and although the carbohydrate content is lower (5.9 g per 100 g), due to the lack of dietary fiber in digestive tract Sugars will be absorbed in full, and glucose levels will rise quickly.

More more dangerous use Nardek is the name given to watermelon honey. It contains 90% sugars. Such an addition to the diet can provoke a hypoglycemic coma.

It should be borne in mind that the main effect of watermelon pulp is a diuretic. Not only does urine output increase, it becomes alkalized. In diabetes, this can trigger the development of kidney failure.

In order not to cause intoxication when introducing watermelon into the diet, you need to learn how to choose it correctly, since one of unpleasant properties striped berry- accumulate harmful substances in pulp. Unscrupulous producers add more nitrogen to the soil than is needed, and dishonest sellers sell similar products.

Intestinal immunity in diabetes is reduced, and the patient’s intestines are unable to get rid of nitrites (substances into which nitrates are transformed when they enter the body). Dehydration during illness is extremely dangerous; it disrupts the water-electrolyte balance in the body and increases sugar levels. In this case, peripheral nerve fibers, and getting worse visual function, acetone bodies accumulate in the blood. Unlike healthy person, in a diabetic, the deterioration may be irreversible.

How to choose the right watermelon

You should choose watermelons that ripen naturally, that is, during the watermelon season, and preference should be given to recently cut fruits that have pink flesh. Its sugar content is reduced, and nitrates have not yet had time to accumulate. An overripe fruit, no matter where it lies - in a furrow or in the seller's warehouse, accumulates sugars and adsorbs nitrates.

To prevent intoxication, you need to learn to distinguish nitrate watermelon from harmless.

Indicators of nitrate accumulation:

Many yellow veins on the cut;
Rich purple color of the pulp, even when the seeds are not all ripe;
It colors water if a piece of pulp is dipped into it for 3-4 minutes.

If all these signs are present, you should avoid eating the delicacy if you have diabetes.

If you plan to constantly expand your diet, then it is better to purchase a special device for measuring nitrate levels. By the way, it will help you introduce only safe, clean foods into your diet.

Rules for eating watermelon for diabetes

The fructose contained in watermelon is beneficial in small quantities. In order for it to be absorbed without consequences, you need to take into account daily norm its use. It is 40 g. If you neglect the calculations, the condition becomes more serious, and type 2 diabetes turns into type 1, which is more dangerous in terms of prognosis and complications.

In addition, when consuming watermelon against a background of diabetes, you must listen to the following recommendations:

When introducing watermelon into your diet, keep in mind that this should be done in small portions.
You should never eat berries on an empty stomach, as this will cause a sharp rise in blood glucose levels.
When losing weight, you cannot stick to a watermelon diet; mono-diets of all types and any duration are harmful for diabetics.
Watermelon must be properly combined with basic products: low-fat cottage cheese, steamed meatballs or boiled meat, with boiled chicken breast, with steamed lean fish. Most favorable combination- addition of sweet pulp vegetable salad with the main ingredient in the form white cabbage. A high amount of dietary fiber lowers the GI of not only the main dish, but also individual ingredients.
To minimize harm to the body, watermelon is soaked for 3-4 hours before consumption. No need to cut. This reduces the amount of nitrates in the fruit.
Considering that the season for safe consumption of watermelon is 2-3 months, during this time you will have to exclude other products with increased amount carbohydrates.

For type 1 diabetes, you can eat about 650 g per day. It is recommended to divide this amount by 3 times. The calculation indicator is reliable for fruit picked from the garden no later than 1-2 days ago. There is no need to be afraid of an increase in blood glucose levels, and if this happens, it is enough to administer an additional dose of insulin.

Endocrinologists disagree about the introduction of watermelon pulp into the daily menu for type 2 diabetes. Most patients with this disease have slow metabolic processes and correspondingly, excess weight. They need to strictly follow dietary recommendations, even in a state of long-term remission. They will have to be content with a very small piece of watermelon - no more than 300 g. And even it will have to be divided into 2 servings. If the condition is unstable or worsens after consuming the product, then avoid watermelon completely.

There is another type of diabetes - gestational. It appears during an unfavorable pregnancy due to increased load on the pancreas in the background hormonal changes. In this condition, eating watermelon in any form is prohibited, since medications to reduce sugar have adverse influence on physiological state fetus You can allow yourself to swallow a piece of pulp measuring 4x4 cm, but this will only irritate the taste buds. It is more advisable to wait until childbirth and return to your favorite product after the end of lactation.

Is it possible to eat watermelon if you have diabetes - watch the video:

Diabetes mellitus (DM for short) is a serious disease of the endocrine system that develops as a result of relative or absolute deficiency of the hormone insulin. As a result, hyperglycemia develops - an increase in blood glucose levels. DM is characterized by a violation of all types of metabolism - water-salt, carbohydrate, fat, mineral, protein.

Diabetes affects children and adults, as well as some species of mammals, particularly cats and dogs.

The disease can be conditionally divided into two main types - 1 (insulin-dependent) and 2 (non-insulin-dependent). Type 1 diabetes was previously called juvenile diabetes because the disease mainly affects young people under 30 years of age. Type 2 diabetes affects the majority of patients, about 85%, of whom only a quarter have normal weight, and the rest are obese or obese. The main goal of treating patients with diabetes of any form of the disease is to reduce blood sugar and normalize all types of metabolic processes in the body.

Treatment methods vary depending on the type of disease: patients with type 1 require insulin injections, for type 2 diabetes mellitus, glucose-lowering drugs are prescribed, and sometimes blood glucose levels can only be normalized with proper nutrition.

In general, diet for diabetes, regardless of the type of disease, is a mandatory part of treatment. Each patient must strictly calculate his diet, the content of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, microelements and vitamins. It is generally accepted that a diet for patients with diabetes excludes the consumption of sugar and all products containing it. However, this opinion is not entirely true, since glucose is necessary to nourish brain cells. Diabetics should replenish their reserves of this substance by certain types berries and fruits.

Many patients are interested in whether it is possible to eat watermelon if you have diabetes, because this berry is known to contain a large amount of sugars.

Today we will find out whether eating watermelon is beneficial for diabetes and what patients should pay attention to when creating a summer menu.

Is it possible to eat watermelon if you have diabetes?

First, let's figure out what is included in chemical composition watermelon and what properties the red berry pulp has.

Despite the fact that 92% of the fruit pulp consists of water, it contains vitamins such as D, C, B2, B6, E, B1, PP, carotene, iron salts, copper, zinc, calcium, folic acid, coarse alimentary fiber(cellulose).

This microelement base and vitamins present in the fruit stimulate metabolic processes in the liver and kidneys, prevent the formation of stones in gallbladder and ducts, improve the composition of bile.

Of course, the pulp of the berry contains significant amount carbohydrates and sugars, but they negative impact on the patient's body is covered with plant-fibrous elements and water.

It is worth understanding that diabetes affects not only the endocrine system, but also the cardiovascular system, and eating berries allows you to replenish the body’s reserves of potassium, sodium, magnesium, carotene, and folic acid. Diabetes typically causes poor blood flow, and great content In the red pulp, iron contributes to blood thinning and the formation of new blood cells - red blood cells.

Endocrinologists assure that watermelon is useful for diabetes and will not cause harm to the patient, but only if it is consumed correctly.

Rules for consuming watermelon for diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2

To maximize the benefits of absorbing the sweet juicy pulp of watermelon, you need to take into account a number of recommendations from nutritionists.

Despite its low calorie content (about 40 kcal per 100 g of pulp), watermelon has a high glycemic index, that is, it causes a fairly rapid but short-term increase in blood glucose. In a healthy person, soon after eating the berry, the pancreas produces insulin, the glucose level drops sharply, and hypoglycemia occurs, accompanied by a feeling of hunger. The so-called watermelon mono-diets, which lead to weight loss, are strictly prohibited for patients with diabetes, as they cause stress due to hunger. That is why people with this diagnosis should consume this berry in doses and no more than 1 kg per day. It is best to spread the pleasure from the fruit over several doses of 300-350 g, but at the same time limit the consumption of other carbohydrate-containing products.
Before the watermelon season, if the patient is going to introduce the berry into the diet, doctors recommend taking a control sample of blood glucose concentration in order to analyze the dynamics of fluctuations in blood sugar levels. The same procedure must be done at the end of the season.
It is necessary to introduce the product into the menu gradually, eating no more than 200 g of pulp at a time.
Patients with diabetes are advised to choose not bright red, scarlet juicy fruits, but pink, less sweet ones, since they contain less glucose.
Watermelon contains a large amount of fiber, and this can lead to increased flatulence, especially if you eat the scarlet berry along with other foods. Eat the fruit on an empty stomach, without mixing it with other dishes.

It is very important to choose a high-quality product that is not “flavored” with nitrates, otherwise enjoying the berry will only bring harm to the body.

Remember the basic rules for choosing a watermelon:

Dip a piece of pulp into a glass of water for a few minutes. If the liquid turns pink, feel free to throw the fruit in the trash;
to reduce the amount of nitrates in the fruit (this applies to all vegetables and fruits), dip the purchased watermelon in clean water for several hours, then cut it and start eating;
The watermelon season begins in July and ends in September. Fruits sold before mid-July are “stuffed” with nitrates, and those sold later than the second half of September may contain substances that lead to poisoning. Diabetics should give preference to melons, which are sold in late July - early August. Later berries are not worth eating.

Future mothers suffering from gestational diabetes mellitus are interested in the question: is it possible to enjoy watermelon with such a diagnosis?

Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and disappears soon after birth. The disease occurs in approximately 4% of expectant mothers.

The reason for this is a decrease in the sensitivity of cells to insulin produced by the body’s own. This is due to high content pregnancy hormones in the blood.