Juicy, sweet, but healthy: watermelon, its glycemic index and consumption rates for diabetes. Juicy, sweet, but healthy: watermelon, its glycemic index and consumption rates for diabetes What you need to consider

Diabetes mellitus is a severe pathology of the endocrine system. The main feature of the disease is a violation of carbohydrate metabolism. In almost all types of diabetes, a low-carbohydrate diet is recommended, completely excluding beetroot, cane and all other types of sugar. Of the fruits in limited quantities, those with a glycemic index within the normal range are allowed. One of the controversial foods with a high enough glycemic index for a diabetic is watermelon.

Before drawing conclusions, it is necessary to understand the composition of the fetus, and then the answer to the question “Is it possible to have a watermelon with diabetes?” will appear on its own.

A little about the chemical composition of the berry

Probably, even children are aware that biologists refer to watermelon as a berry, not a fruit. She comes from Pumpkin, and in terms of its properties, pumpkin is similar to the berry group.

A significant proportion of watermelon pulp is water (up to 92%). Varieties and ripeness of the fruit determine the concentration of sugars: 5.5-13% of mono- and disaccharides. These quickly digestible carbohydrates, on which the calorie content of the product depends, are represented in the berry by glucose, sucrose, fructose, the latter being the most there.

The rest of the mass is distributed as follows:

Proteins and pectins - approximately equally: 0.7%;
Trace elements (Mg, Ca, Na, Fe, K, P);
Vitamin complex (B1, B2, folic and ascorbic acids, carotenoids).

Due to its unique composition, the berry has diuretic capabilities, removes excess harmful cholesterol, improves the condition of the joints, normalizes blood circulation, strengthens the heart muscle, and facilitates the work of the liver.

Is it possible to watermelon with type 2 diabetes

You can talk about the healing possibilities of watermelons for a long time, but for a diabetic, it is, first of all, sugar and water. What more to expect from such a product - benefit or harm?

If a healthy person eats a ripe watermelon, carbohydrates will instantly appear in his blood. Sucrose with glucose will immediately raise the level of sugar in the tissues and blood. To drive it into the cells, the pancreas must respond with a powerful release of insulin.

Fructose enters the liver, where it is processed into glycogen (from which the body will then receive glucose when it does not come from outside) and partially into fatty acids. In the short term, such processes are not dangerous for an ordinary person.

With non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, blood plasma sugars rise for a long time, since the pancreas responds slowly to such a powerful carbohydrate load due to the low sensitivity of cells to insulin.

You can reassure yourself that watermelon is a seasonal berry, we don’t eat it all year round, so you can afford a treat.

But before the watermelons there will be cherries, and after - grapes, and you will have to rely on normal glucometer readings only in winter. But the body of a diabetic is not getting younger, and the aggressive effect of hyperglycemia is bearing fruit.

So, we should forget about watermelon in type 2 diabetes? The verdict is categorical: until it is possible to normalize sugar - both before meals and a couple of hours after, until glycated hemoglobin returns to normal, it is better not to tempt fate. When the craving for this particular berry is irresistible, you can eat 100 g of the product separately from other food. In such a slice there will be 10 g of carbohydrates, that is, pure sugar.

If a low-carbohydrate diet gives a good effect: the glucometer readings are normal, you managed to lose weight and even reduce the proportion of pills, or even cancel it altogether, then you can treat yourself to a certain amount of sweet berries. The serving size will depend on the information on the glucometer after one and a half to two hours. If the indicator exceeded 7.8 mmol / l, it is necessary to reconsider both the general diet and the volume of the dessert. To keep within the limits of the norm, it is necessary to count carbohydrates.

Is watermelon good for type 1 diabetes?

This category of diabetics make the choice easier. Anyone who does not adhere to a low-carb diet program can enjoy such a dessert freely in reasonable quantities. Of course, with the appropriate dose of insulin. When calculating medicines, it should be taken into account that 100 g of watermelon pulp contains 5-13 g of carbohydrates (9 g on average), while the weight of the peel is ignored.

It is important to understand that watermelon has a high glycemic index, and insulin does not start working immediately, so you need to pause after the injection. How long to wait will depend on the initial readings of the glucometer.

How do berry processing products affect the body of a diabetic? Drinking watermelon juice is not recommended, the same restrictions apply to nardeka (watermelon honey), which contains up to 90% glucose and its analogues. Watermelon oil (Kalahari) can be consumed without restrictions, it is better if it is unrefined, first cold pressed.

Gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy, requires a special approach in both treatment and nutrition, since we are talking about two lives. If diabetes in a pregnant woman is not insulin-dependent, and normal sugar levels are maintained solely through thoughtful nutrition and muscle activity, endocrinologists do not recommend eating watermelons. Sugar will jump freely, and at the same time the desire to repeat the experiment. Missing one season is not a problem, you can enjoy plenty of watermelons even after childbirth.

With insulin therapy in a pregnant woman, restrictions apply only to the correct compensation of the calculated amount of carbohydrates by insulin. If a woman has already acquired the skill of compensating for sweet fruits with medicines, there will be no problem with watermelon. It is also important to control the total amount of carbohydrates in the diet, since excess weight gain is not good for either the mother or the child.

How to calculate your portion of watermelon

The diet of a diabetic is made up of two parameters: the glycemic index (GI) and the bread unit (XE). GI is a relative indicator that characterizes the rate of entry into the blood and glucose processing. The calorie content of meals is not taken into account here. The GI of glucose is taken as a starting point - 100 units, which means that when using a pure product, sugar will jump by 100%. Even more changes the readings of the glucometer, for example, dried apricots.

Theoretically, GI characterizes the response of the endocrine system to a specific product with any amount of food. But it is the volume of food that affects the duration of the rise in glucose levels and the dose of insulin needed to compensate for it. Now it is clear why overeating, including a representative of gourds, can bring real harm to a diabetic.

Bread unit characterizes the glucometer readings after eating specific foods with carbohydrates. Here, a slice of bread 1 cm thick (if the roll is standard) weighing 20 g was taken as the standard. To process such a portion, a diabetic will need 2 cubes of insulin.

Norm of bread units per day:

With a sedentary lifestyle - 15 units;

With diabetes - 15 units;

Overweight - 10 units.

With compensated diabetes, a limited amount of watermelon can be useful: the body is saturated with folic acid, trace elements and other valuable substances. Failure to comply with the norm will cause a jump in sugar, excess fructose will be processed into fat.

For diabetics who are forced to control their weight, the high GI of watermelon is serious food for thought. An instantly digestible product causes only a feeling of hunger. The hand reaches for the next piece, and common sense reminds of the limitations. Such stress will definitely not help patients fight obesity.

To add a new product to the diet, even for a while, it is worth consulting with an endocrinologist. It is necessary to balance the GE and CI, for this the diet is being revised, excluding some of the products with carbohydrates.

1 XE is equal to 135 g of watermelon. This serving contains 40 calories. The GI of watermelon dessert is quite high - 75 units. (the norm is 50-70 units), so it is better to eat your portion in parts.

How to take advantage of the product

In the summer, we are so looking forward to the watermelon season that we often lose our vigilance. It starts no earlier than mid-August, but even at this time you should not buy the first fruits. It is known that the berry perfectly retains nitrates, and it is difficult for a non-specialist to distinguish a pumped up watermelon from an environmentally friendly product. It is especially dangerous to give watermelon to children after such a vaccination. At the end of summer, instead of early ripening, full-fledged watermelons will appear and the risk of poisoning will be much lower.

The next mistake is a poorly washed fruit before cutting or acquiring already cut parts of a watermelon. The probability of infection of sweet berries with pathogens is very high. To avoid gastrointestinal upset, experts recommend washing the purchase with soap and hot water, then pour boiling water over it and never buy watermelon in parts.

To eat or not to eat watermelons, can they bring at least a little harm to the body? These questions, for quite natural reasons, are asked by diabetics in the first and second type of diabetes mellitus. In order to determine this, to learn all about the benefits of the product, it is highly recommended to familiarize yourself with its properties. To do this, you must either consult with a specialist, or learn everything from this article.

What does a diabetic need to know about the benefits?

Can you eat watermelon with type 2 diabetes? Experts pay attention to its serious nutritional value. The fact is that it contains folic and ascorbic acid, vitamin E, B6 (pyridoxine). In addition, eating watermelon with diabetes is permissible due to the presence of thiamine, niacin and carotene. Each of the presented components has an impact on carbohydrate metabolism, improves the functioning of the body and the state of immunity in general.

Diabetics may well consume watermelons, counting on the benefits of the berry due to the presence in it:

riboflavin, vitamin B2, which contributes to the normalization of metabolism;
phosphorus, accumulating energy;
calcium, which performs not only a regulatory, but also a structural role;
magnesium, iron and even potassium.

It is noteworthy that it is precisely due to the presence of potassium that the use of watermelon in type 2 diabetes allows you to maintain ideal pressure, normalize the balance of potassium and sodium. Given all this, the introduction of this plant into the diet can be considered desirable for a diabetic.

At the same time, in no case should one forget about the presence of fructose, which ideally should be used in a minimum ratio.

In order for watermelons to not harm health with high blood sugar, the norm of this fruit should not exceed 40 grams. during the day. An increase in the presented ratio can gradually lead to the development of complications - two or more. In order to understand whether this fruit can be eaten, experts urge to pay attention to whether it is permissible to introduce it into the composition of a diabetic diet for type 1 disease.

Is watermelon okay for type 1 diabetes?

As you know, this type of disease is characterized by dependence on insulin. In this regard, special attention should be paid to dietary nutrition. In particular, watermelon and any other products should be used exclusively taking into account bread units. Their calculation is an important component for maintaining a healthy lifestyle when faced with the first and second types of diabetes.

Speaking directly about the diet when faced with diabetes, pay attention to the importance of eating low-calorie foods. This list also includes watermelon, which can be used in an amount of not more than 200 grams. within one meal. In total, for diabetics during the day, about 500-600 grams will be an acceptable amount.

It should be borne in mind, however, that the presence of certain complications will be a contraindication. Such complications when eating watermelons include diseases of the digestive system. That is why it is advisable to discuss the use of this fruit with a specialist. Only in this case, it will be possible to eat watermelon, which does not affect sugar, without any fear.

Features of use in type 2 diabetes

Is it possible to drink watermelon if type 2 diabetes has been diagnosed? The answer to the question presented is also called positive with full confidence. Speaking about this, experts pay attention to the fact that:

due to the presence of dietary fiber, which accelerates the breakdown of sugars, they are excreted from the human body much faster without absorption;
the consumption rate associated with watermelon in diabetes should be about 200-300 grams;
when using watermelon products within 24 hours, it is strongly recommended to exclude other items containing carbohydrates from the diet. Otherwise, there is an increased risk of complications.

Speaking about the watermelon used by diabetics, it is also necessary to pay attention to the fact that the features of the diet previously prescribed by a specialist must be taken into account without fail.

If this is not done, not only blood sugar rises, but also the development of a whole list of other complications is possible. For example, with improper use of watermelon, diabetes may well be threatened by too frequent urination, excretion of alkalis from the urine. In addition, there are risks due to the fact that the course of diabetic disease will be associated with fermentation in the intestinal area, flatulence and other pathologies.

Given all this, experts draw attention to the fact that watermelons can be used in diabetes. But this will not affect blood sugar in any way, and the benefits and harms will be 100% known only if the use is carried out correctly and according to all the rules.

cooking watermelons

This fruit is allowed to be consumed not only in its pure fresh form, but also as part of some recipes. Most often, experts pay attention to the preparation of watermelon juice, salads, pickled items. All of them do not increase the level of sugar and even have a positive effect on all body functions. In order to prepare, for example, juice, it will be necessary to prepare the required amount of watermelon, which is previously peeled and pitted.

In order to get about 200 ml of such a drink, you will need to use an approximately equal amount of fruit. It is placed in a juicer or a special press, after which the composition is ready for use. In type 1 and type 2 diabetes, it is not recommended to add even a minimal amount of sugar to it. In addition, watermelon juice becomes significantly less useful when consumed not fresh. In this regard, it is recommended to use it within a maximum of 30 minutes from the moment of preparation.

Can diabetics eat this berry? They also indicate that:

they are allowed to do this exclusively as part of salads, the fruits in which are low-calorie. For example, unsweetened berries, apples, citrus fruits. At the same time, a portion of such a dish should be no more than 200 gr.;
special attention deserves the preparation of pickled watermelons, which are characterized by significant benefits in any type of disease;
preparing such a watermelon snack is quite simple: for this, an arbitrary amount of fruit is harvested in a jar along with ingredients such as garlic, dill and others.

Their use, like sauerkraut, for example, is considered extremely beneficial for the digestive system. That is why experts pay attention to the desirability of preparing such a workpiece. In order for the risk of complications not to be high, it is very important to take into account contraindications. Indeed, otherwise, diabetes mellitus may be associated with the fact that blood sugar will increase, pressure will increase.

When is it not allowed to eat them?

The presence of contraindications fully determines whether it is possible to use watermelons in diabetes. This is equally important in both the first and second form of the disease. Speaking about restrictions, experts pay attention to problems in the digestive system, for example, flatulence, diarrhea. In addition, the limitation is the destabilization of the outflow of urine.

We should not forget that the list of contraindications includes the presence of stones in the kidneys, pancreas. The presence of diseases of the cardiac or vascular system, fluid retention in the body - all this indicates the need to exclude the product from your menu.

Thus, talking about the use of the presented product by diabetics, experts pay attention to the admissibility of this. At the same time, it is important to observe the desired dosage, use watermelon according to certain rules. It is in this case that it will be most useful for a person with an altered blood sugar level.

For diabetics, doctors prescribe a low-carbohydrate diet aimed at controlling blood sugar within the normal range. The diet is based on the glycemic index (GI) of foods, their calorie content and glycemic load (GL) are also taken into account. The GI measures how quickly glucose enters the bloodstream after eating a certain food or drink.

In addition, it is necessary to eat properly - six times a day, do not overeat and do not starve, and maintain water balance. Such nutrition becomes the dominant therapy for the non-insulin-dependent type of "sweet" disease. Sports are an excellent compensation for type 2 diabetes. You can give preference to running, swimming or fitness. The duration of classes is at least 45 minutes daily, or at least every other day.

Endocrinologists tell their patients about the main permitted foods, paying little attention to those that are allowed to be used as an exception or prohibited at all. In this article we will talk about such a berry as watermelon. The following questions are discussed below - is it possible to eat watermelon with diabetes, how much sugar is in watermelon, the GI of watermelon, its calorie content and insulin load, how much this berry can be eaten with diet therapy.

Glycemic index of watermelon

Diabetic food is considered to be the food in which the index does not exceed 50 units. Products with GI up to 69 units inclusive may be present in the patient's menu only as an exception, twice a week no more than 100 grams. Food with a high rate, that is, over 70 units, can cause a sharp increase in the concentration of glucose in the blood, and as a result, hyperglycemia and worsening of the course of the disease. This is the main guideline in compiling a diet for type 2 diabetes.

Glycemic load is a newer measure of the effect of foods on blood glucose levels than the GI. This indicator will display the most “dangerous” food products that will keep the concentration of glucose in the blood for a long time. The most boosting foods have a load of 20 carbs or more, the average GL ranges from 11-20 carbs, and the low GL is up to 10 carbs per 100 grams of product.

In order to figure out whether it is possible to eat watermelon with type 2 and type 1 diabetes, you need to study the index and load of this berry and take into account its calorie content. It should be noted right away that all fruits and berries with a low rate can be eaten no more than 200 grams.

Watermelon indicators:

GI is 75 units;
glycemic load per 100 grams of product is 4 grams of carbohydrates;
calorie content per 100 grams of product is 38 kcal.

Based on this, the answer to the question - is it possible to eat watermelons with type 2 diabetes, the answer will not be 100% positive. All this is explained quite simply - due to the high index, the concentration of glucose in the blood increases rapidly. But based on the GN data, it turns out that the high rate will last for a short time. From the above, it follows that eating watermelon when a patient has type 2 diabetes is not recommended.

But in the normal course of the disease and before physical exertion, he may allow you to include a small amount of this berry in your diet.

The benefits of watermelon

Sugar level

Watermelon in diabetes is useful because it contains a large amount of vitamins, trace elements and minerals. This berry is an excellent thirst quencher in the summer. The possible advantages of this berry include the fact that the work of the gastrointestinal tract improves due to the presence of fiber and pectins.

Usually diabetes with experience is burdened by various complications, one of which is swelling. In this case, watermelon for type 2 diabetes will be a good diuretic. There is a watermelon, traditional medicine advises for cystitis, pyelonephritis and in the presence of sand in the kidneys. In case of urolithiasis, on the contrary, the product is not worth it, as it can provoke the movement of stones in the body.

Doctors allow pregnant women to eat berries, as watermelon has a high content of folic acid. The presence of vitamin B 9 has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system.

Watermelon for diabetics is useful due to the presence of the following substances:

B vitamins;
vitamin E;
carotene;
phosphorus;
folic acid;
potassium;
carotene;
pectin;
cellulose;
iron.

Does watermelon boost the immune system? Undoubtedly yes, since it is rich in ascorbic acid, which increases the body's resistance to various infections and microbes. Vitamin B 6, or as it is also called pyridoxine, speeds up metabolic processes, so watermelon is often present in many diets aimed at reducing excess weight.

Nicotinic acid (vitamin B 5) will help reduce high blood pressure and dilate blood vessels. Carotenes will act as a powerful natural antioxidant that slows down the aging process and removes harmful compounds from the body.

Is it possible to drink watermelon when a patient has type 2 diabetes - these decisions should be made by the diabetic on their own, taking into account the individual course of the disease and the ratio of benefits and harms to the body from this product.

It should be borne in mind that watermelon provokes an increase in blood glucose, so its use should be an exception, a serving of up to 100 grams.

Permissible berries and fruits for diabetes

In diabetes, you can occasionally supplement the diet with fruits with an index of more than 50 units. Products with indicators of 0 - 50 units should be present on the menu daily, but not more than 250 grams per day, preferably for breakfast.

Melon, for example, can be consumed several times a week, given that the diet is not burdened with other products with an average index. The same is true with persimmon, as its performance is also in the middle range.

Diabetes obliges patients to give up many types of sweets and say no to their favorite desserts. However, not many people know that diabetics are prepared from fruits and berries with low GI.

The following fruits are allowed:

an Apple;
pear;
apricot;
peach;
nectarine;
all types of citrus fruits - lemon, tangerine, orange, grapefruit, pomelo;
sloe (wild plum);
plum.

Berries with a low index:

gooseberry;
cherries;
Cherry;
blueberry;
Strawberry;
strawberry;
raspberries;
black and red currants;
mulberry;
blackberry.

It is better to eat fresh fruits and berries, and sat down to prepare fruit salads, then immediately before serving. Canned food is not recommended when a person has diabetes, because sugar and harmful chemicals are often used in the canning process.

It is forbidden to prepare juices, because in the process of processing they lose valuable fiber, which is responsible for the gradual entry of glucose into the blood.

Just 150 milliliters of juice can cause an increase in blood sugar concentration by 4 - 5 mmol / l.

Diabetes Compensation

Diabetes is successfully controlled with a low carbohydrate diet and type 2. Classes should be carried out at least every other day, but it is better daily for 45 - 60 minutes.

Just do not engage in heavy sports, as there is a possibility of negative health effects. If sometimes there is not enough time for physical exercises, then it is necessary to at least take walks.

With regular exercises, it is allowed to gradually increase the load and training time, of course, paying attention to changes in blood glucose levels.

You can give preference to such sports:

fitness;
jogging;
sports walking;
Nordic walking;
yoga;
cycling;
swimming.

If before training there is a feeling of severe hunger, then it is permissible to arrange a healthy and healthy snack. An ideal option would be 50 grams of nuts or seeds. They are high in calories, contain proteins and saturate the body with energy for a long time.

Type 2 diabetes is easily controlled if you follow the rules of diet therapy and exercise regularly.

The video in this article talks about the benefits of watermelon.

Sugar level

Recent discussions.

For many, watermelon is a real symbol of the summer table, so most of the inhabitants of our country are interested in its useful qualities.

The question of benefit for people suffering from various forms is especially important.

The sweet taste of culture makes them think about the possible consequences of its use in the form of a deterioration in well-being, increased blood pressure, and lethargy. So, is it possible to drink watermelon with diabetes? How does it affect the body of a diabetic and is it capable of causing severe complications of his illness?

Watermelon is known for its many beneficial effects, which largely depend on its composition. It is in this berry that a huge amount of minerals and biologically active substances are contained that have a beneficial effect on.

Among the main components of culture should be highlighted:

vitamin C, which improves immunity and stabilizes the vascular wall;
vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant that provides adequate tissue respiration and prevents the development of cancer cells;
B vitamins, which have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the nervous system, as well as contributing to the synthesis of hormones and cellular metabolism;
phosphorus, allowing cells to accumulate energy;
carotene acting as an antioxidant and precursor of vitamin A;
iron for the formation of full-fledged red blood cells;
calcium, which is an indispensable building material for bones;
potassium to maintain optimal intracellular pressure and regulate work;
magnesium, activating a number of enzymes and improving energy metabolism;
cellulose, which improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, removes excess cholesterol, binds toxins.

The sweet taste of watermelon provides the content in considerable concentrations of sucrose and fructose. It is this fact that is very important for diabetics, since several times less insulin is spent on the utilization of these carbohydrates than on the processing of glucose.

Glycemic index

Watermelon has a high - about 73 units.

This is a very high figure for diabetics, so many of them immediately begin to wonder if they can eat watermelons or if it’s better to forget about their existence altogether.

The high glycemic index of watermelon is not all - the berry has a low calorie content, as well as a high content of water, fiber and fructose.

Low calorie content and glycemic index make it possible to argue that with diabetes you can eat watermelon, but only taking into account a number of rules for such use.

Benefit or harm?

In order for watermelons to bring exceptional benefits to the human body, it is necessary to understand and take into account all the subtleties of its proper use.

It is important to remember that with a sufficiently low calorie content, the berry has a high glycemic index, and therefore can cause hunger.

That is, watermelon simultaneously stimulates appetite and reduces weight, and a watermelon diet leads to nervous breakdowns due to a constant desire to eat. The use of watermelon by diabetic people should not go against their diet.

Only with the strict implementation of all the recommendations of a nutritionist, patients manage to get the maximum benefit from the culture and not harm their health. Moderate amounts of watermelon are known to stimulate diuresis, rid the body of excess fluid, and alkalize the urine, preventing it from becoming stagnant and stone-forming.

When berries are consumed in high doses, people experience the opposite effect - leaching of urine and an increase in the risk of developing stones in the kidneys.

In addition to the huge benefits, there is another side of the coin.

In the summer season, many cases of watermelon poisoning are recorded, which are associated with the peculiarities of growing gourds with the use of nitrates and herbicides. Consisting of 85-90% water, the watermelon absorbs these chemicals from the soil along with the liquid during its growth, which leads to their accumulation inside the berry.

With diabetes, watermelon is it possible or not?

So, can watermelon be used for type 1 and type 2 diabetes? Modern endocrinologists have no reason to argue that diabetes and watermelon is a forbidden combination. On the contrary, thanks to numerous studies, it was possible to prove that this berry is even useful for people suffering from hyperglycemia.

And that's why. Watermelons contain a huge amount of dietary fiber, which accelerates the breakdown of easily digestible carbohydrates and their expulsion from the body before absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.

Experts insist on the need to comply with certain rules:

control over consumption (daily rate - no more than 250-300 g);
exclusion of the possibility of combining the intake of berries with others;
taking into account the personal diet of the diabetic prescribed by the doctor, as well as the fact that the patient has contraindications to the use of gourds.

But why do patients with diabetes need to adhere to these rules?

Uncontrolled consumption of watermelon can have undesirable consequences:

the appearance of symptoms of fermentation in the intestines and flatulence;
sharp leaching of urine with the formation of stones;
frequent urination;
gross violations of the digestive process.

Large amounts of watermelon eaten can cause an increase in blood glucose levels, which is associated with an increased glycemic level of the berry and insulin deficiency.

Effect on the body

Watermelon has a dual effect on the human body.

On the one hand, it saturates it with a number of useful substances and helps to eliminate toxins, and on the other hand, it can provoke an exacerbation of chronic ailments, the movement of stones in the kidneys, and an increase in blood sugar.

Experts have proven that a person should not consume more than 2.5 kg of berry pulp per day. In this case, this volume must be divided into several parts (preferably very small portions).

As you know, watermelon is famous for its pronounced diuretic effect. Its regular use in acceptable amounts allows you to completely get rid of edema, provoked by the heart. In addition, the pulp of the berry contains a huge amount of fructose, which, unlike glucose, is absorbed much faster in the body.

Due to its fiber content, melons and gourds normalize the functioning of the digestive tract, quickly rid the body of excess bad cholesterol, toxins and harmful compounds that have got into it.

The actual use of watermelon is for people prone to the formation of kidney and liver stones.

The juice of the berry perfectly alkalizes the urine, which allows you to dissolve the sand and remove it naturally, without causing the formation of calculi. Watermelon pulp quickly binds liver toxins, which should be taken into account in case of chronic intoxication and food poisoning.

Watermelon is especially useful for type 2 diabetes. The berry promotes weight loss, because, filling the stomach, it makes it possible to forget about hunger and quickly removes excess water from the body.

Contraindications

Even such a healthy berry as watermelon has a number of contraindications that should be considered before using it:

the berry is contraindicated in pancreatic dysfunction, which is manifested by frequent diarrhea and a tendency to develop colitis;
gourds are not recommended for patients suffering from renal insufficiency and diseases leading to a violation of the outflow of urine;
berries should be abandoned to people in whose body there are stones.

Watermelon: what's in it?

It would seem that, apart from water and sugars, there is hardly anything present in the composition of the product. But this is not so: watermelon contains many vitamins and minerals:

folic acid
Magnesium, potassium, iron
Phosphorus, calcium
Vitamin E
thiamine, niacin, beta-carotene
pyridoxine, riboflavin
Ascorbic acid

This impressive list does not fully explain the fact that watermelon successfully treats many diseases. Watermelon contains a valuable carotenoid pigment lycopene, which can fight cancer cells, as well as pectins, vegetable proteins, healthy fatty oils, organic acids, and dietary fiber.

But the defining moment in the question of whether it is possible to eat watermelon with diabetes is the presence of a minimum amount of sucrose, glucose and the predominance of fructose. Thanks to this, watermelon is absorbed well, and insulin is practically not consumed for its processing.

The benefits and harms of watermelon

Everyone knows that the sweet fruit is the best natural diuretic, often recommended even in the presence of sand and small stones in the kidneys.

Watermelon will perfectly cleanse the entire body, which is very important for impaired metabolism. It also strengthens the heart, blood vessels, removes cholesterol, and helps to lose weight.

There is quite a lot of magnesium in watermelon, which reduces nervous excitability, improves the functioning of the entire central nervous system, and has an antispasmodic effect. With constipation, which often torments diabetics, the product will also be useful, because thanks to fiber, it will gently but effectively cleanse the intestines.

Watermelon in type 2 diabetes is also allowed to be consumed, since dietary fiber, which is present in excess in the product, accelerates the breakdown of sugars and quickly expel them from the body, preventing absorption. There is absolutely no cholesterol in watermelon. This product does not cause allergies at all, so it will not bring harm to people with hypersensitivity to allergens. The only negative point can be overeating the product, as a result of which blood sugar can still rise.

How much watermelon can diabetics eat?

The ability of the patient's body to absorb sugar depends on the severity of the pathology. But on average, up to 40 grams of fructose can be absorbed daily without consequences. Just so much is present in a kilogram of juicy garden fruit. Of course, this does not mean that with diabetes you can eat watermelons in kilograms: after all, during the day a person eats other foods with the presence of certain sugars.

Therefore, the best option is to calculate your daily menu, given that 150 grams of watermelon will be 1 bread unit. According to diabetics, you can eat up to 700 grams of the product per day, dividing it into 2-3 doses. In type 2 disease, it is better to reduce the rate to 300 grams, since these patients often do not receive insulin injections.

What is the best way to eat watermelon with diabetes?

Some endocrinologists argue that watermelon is safer for diabetics if eaten with bread. Of course, this will seem strange to many, so it is better to clarify this possibility with your doctor. Watermelon is usually eaten fresh, but it is great for making summer refreshing cocktails with mint, lemon juice, lime, etc.