Type 2 diabetes: The tasty sweet treat that can help prevent blood sugar spikes

Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which the level of sugar in a person’s blood is too high. High blood sugar is dangerous as it can lead to problems with the heart, eyes, nerves, kidneys and feet. The most obvious way to lower blood glucose levels is to cut down on foods high in sugar, such as cakes, chocolates and sweets. But there is one sweet treat which can actually help to prevent blood sugar levels from rising. This fruit is berries.

Despite berries containing the sugar fructose, studies show that they help to improve insulin sensitivity as well as regulate blood sugar levels

Juliette Kellow

According to dietitian Juliette Kellow, studies of berries have shown they can help regulate the level of sugar in the blood.

Berries may also help improve insulin sensitivity, helping it to do its job properly when controlling blood sugar.

Insulin is a chemical which transfers sugar from the blood to the cells to be turned into energy.

People with type 2 diabetes either don’t produce enough insulin or the insulin they produce is rejected by the body’s cells.

“Despite berries containing the sugar fructose, studies show that they help to improve insulin sensitivity as well as regulate blood sugar levels,” said Kellow.

In addition, berries are high in fibre, as is all fruit, which helps the body to digest food properly.

Despite containing natural sugars, berries also have a low glycaemic index, meaning they are suitable for people with diabetes.

The glycaemic index is a rating system for foods containing carbohydrates. It shows how quickly each food affects your blood sugar level when that food is eaten on its own.

High GI foods cause a rapid increase in blood sugar, and are therefore best to be avoided by people with diabetes.

High GI foods include sugar and sugary foods, sugary soft drinks, white bread, potatoes and white rice.

Diabetes type 2: Foods to lower blood sugar

Diabetes type 2: Foods to lower blood sugar.

Diabetes type 2: Foods to lower blood sugar

Low or medium GI foods are broken down more slowly, meaning they cause a gradual rise in blood sugar levels over time, making them safer for people with diabetes.

Low and medium GI foods include some fruits and vegetables, pulses and wholegrain foods like porridge oats.

“A regular dose of any type of berries could help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes,” said Kellow.

As fruit contains natural sugars, people with diabetes may wonder if they should cut down on it.

But, health experts warn that fruit should from part of a healthy, balanced diet, even in people with diabetes.

This is because fruit contains essential vitamins and minerals needed to keep the body healthy.

Diabetes: Four common symptoms

Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high.

There are two main types – type 1, when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin producing cells, and type 2, when the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body’s cells don’t react to insulin.

Type 2 is more common that type 1, with 90 per cent of all diabetics in the UK having type 2.

Frequent urinating

Going to the toilet a lot more than usual, especially at night, is a common sign of diabetes.

Urinating frequently is also a sign of other medical issues, such as prostate problems, so be sure to visit your GP to have diabetes confirmed.

Thirst

Excessive thirst, otherwise known as polydipsia, is a classic sign of diabetes. It is linked to frequent urination.

As excess glucose builds up in the blood, the kidneys are forced to work extra hard to filter and absorb the excess sugar, and if they can’t keep up, the excess sugar is excreted in to urine, taking along fluids from body tissue.

This triggers more urination, which may leave diabetics dehydrated.

Blurred vision

High levels of blood sugar can cause the lens inside the eye to swell, which can result in blurred eyesight.

Very low blood sugar levels can also cause blurred vision.

Weight loss

If you aren’t trying to lose weight, and you notice a loss of muscle bulk or the numbers on the scales drop, this could be a sign of diabetes.

This happens because insufficient insulin prevents the body from getting glucose from the blood to the cells to use as energy.

The body will then start burning fat and muscle for energy, causing weight loss.

Source: Read Full Article