Can I eat bananas for diabetes?

Banana is a sweet fruit that, according to some sources, is undesirable to introduce into the diet of a diabetic. However, the glycemic index of the product is 51 points, which is 20 less than the acceptable values ​​for diabetes. In addition, a banana contains substances that are extremely necessary for the patient to maintain a normal metabolism, strengthen internal systems.

Chemical composition and benefits for diabetics

Tropical fruit is rich in valuable elements:

• amino acids (interchangeable and irreplaceable);
• organic acids;
• vitamins: group B, E, C, PP, as well as retinol;
• trace elements (phosphorus, calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, potassium and others);
• plant proteins;
• starch;
• tanning components;
• dietary fiber;
• fructose, etc.

Useful components stimulate the production of hormones of "happiness" - serotonin and endorphins.

A high-quality composition allows the use of banana in therapeutic diets, indicated for violation of the pancreas, pancreatitis, etc.

In diabetes, it is also important to protect the heart and blood vessels from the damaging effects of accumulated glucose and ketone bodies. Tropical fruit contains 50% of the daily dose of potassium and magnesium, which strengthen the myocardium, cleanse the vascular walls of cholesterol and lipid plaques. Regular consumption of an exotic fetus reduces the risk of heart failure, coronary artery disease, heart attack, and coronary artery disease.

Also, bananas for diabetes produce the following effects:

1. Regulate the pressure in the arteries, which can fluctuate every time with an increase in sugar.
2. Positive effect on the brain, preventing the destruction of nerve cells, impaired attention and memory.
3. Promote the production of essential enzymes for digestion.
4. They provide cell regeneration, which is important in the development of skin pathologies (with diabetes, wounds can heal less well, so they need outside help).
5. Saturate tissue with oxygen.
6. They support metabolism and water-salt balance, which can be disturbed with hyperglycemia.
7. Normalize the work of the liver and kidneys, prevent the development of nephropathy and polyuria, swelling.
8. Restores digestion and intestinal motility, which facilitates the absorption of beneficial components.
9. Reduce the risk of malignant processes, which are susceptible to diabetics against acidosis (cell oxidation).
10. Thanks to pyridoxine (vitamin B6), the body is less susceptible to stress and physical exertion.
11. Vitamin C helps strengthen immunity, which naturally decreases in a diabetic.
12. Normalize the production and outflow of bile.

And, of course, a significant plus is the absence of simple carbohydrates and fats in a banana, which give excess body weight with a quick release of energy. That is, after eating a moderately high-calorie tropical fruit (105 kcal per 100 g), fructose and glucose are released gradually, without raising blood sugar to critical levels.

How to use

Nevertheless, the fruits have a high GI, so eat them with diabetes should be careful.

1. Combine banana properly with other foods. Endocrinologists and nutritionists advise eating a tropical fruit separately, and not in the form of sweet desserts, cakes, salads, ice cream, etc. You can combine the fruit with fresh citruses, sour apple, kiwi, and some berries. Using a blender, you can make smoothies from them (without adding milk and sugar).
2. Eat ripe bananas, as green fruits contain a significant amount of starch, which slags the body.At the same time, dried bananas are not suitable, because due to evaporation of moisture, GI per 100 g rises, which makes it impossible to use the fruit for diabetes.
3. Bananas can be consumed as mashed potatoes, baked or steamed dishes.
4. Do not wash the fruit with liquid, even plain water. But 30 minutes before a snack, you can drink a glass of water to speed up metabolism.
5. For 1 reception it is not recommended to eat the whole fruit. Divide it into 3 parts and consume during the day.
6. Bananas are not eaten on an empty stomach. It is advisable to eat a less carbohydrate and more useful dish for diabetes 1-2 hours before a snack.
7. Eat sweet fruit in the morning, when the body still has the ability to regulate a sharp release of carbohydrates and glucose.
8. Before use, thoroughly rinse the skin of the fetus under running water. On the surface there is often a preservative “phenol”, which through the hands falls on the pulp and can subsequently cause poisoning.

How bananas can harm

Diabetics with an insulin-independent compensated form of the disease can safely eat bananas, but not abuse them. With an insulin-dependent form, a few pieces of fruit per day can greatly worsen well-being, as a sharp release of glucose and fructose will lead to a critical increase in plasma sugar levels. Symptoms of hyperglycemia may develop:

1. A constant feeling of hunger, which will lead to chaotic eating of food during the day.
2. Dehydration and thirst, which is not satisfied even with huge portions of water (more than 5 liters per day).
3. Polyuria (frequent trips to the toilet, including at night).
4. Kidney dysfunction, which leads to the accumulation of fluid in the body and the formation of edema.
5. Angiopathy, against the background of which the vessels suffer, the brain and peripheral central nervous system are disturbed.
6. Slow healing of wounds, the formation of trophic ulcers, corns and cracks on the skin.
7. Drying of the skin and mucous membranes.
8. Exacerbation of systemic diseases, allergies.

Due to the increased risks of diabetes, doctors forbid patients to eat bananas with:

• poorly compensated type 1 diabetes;
• obesity of various types;
• kidney or liver dysfunction;
• atherosclerotic disease;
• pathologies of the cardiovascular system, blood flow;
• violation of trophism and tissue structure (poor healing, tendency to dermatitis, etc.).

The optimal dose for a diabetic is considered to be 1-2 pieces per week, while we do not forget that one fruit must be divided into several parts.

Bananas have moderate GI, so they can and should even be used in the diet of a diabetic. It is important to control the amount of fruits eaten, monitor the body's reaction and do not forget to regularly measure sugar.

Video: the benefits and harms of banana for diabetics