Last Updated on March 18, 2021 by Dr Sharon Baisil MD
Is it often any everyday question for diabetics to ask whether a certain food item is safe or not for their diabetic health? With the onset of blood sugar disturbances in the body, food choices become confusing.
But you do not have to worry as we are here to assist you in revising your everyday meal plans according to your diabetic health and needs. Diabetes is a disease that hampers the metabolism and leads to an imbalance of blood sugar levels in the body. It is necessary to add healthy food items to your everyday diets to improve your blood sugar levels.
Today, let us discuss Gulkand. Are you aware of the use of Gulkand? Well, you must be curious about …
- Is Gulkand good for diabetics?
- What are the nutrients found in Gulkand?
- What are the benefits of eating Gulkand?
- Are there any side effects of it?
Etc.
In our today’s article, we will discuss all of these topics and pay attention to the effects of Gulkand on anybody who has diabetes.
This article will tell you how to effectively make better decisions and layout your diabetic fitness and health plans.
Let us begin by knowing the basics of what Gulkand is.
What is Gulkand?
If you are an Indian, then there are chances that you might know about this sweet-tasting delicious natural preparation. Gulkand is a kind of sweet pickle that is made from rose petals.
It is a famous sweet preparation of India, Persia, Pakistan, etc. Gulkand is of an Indo-Persian origin. It is also commonly known as rose jam or rose marmalade.
Gulkand is also an Ayurvedic medicine and has several wonderful functions on the body. It is easily available in Ayurvedic stores and markets. You can also make your Gulkand at home.
The major ingredients used in making Gulkand are rose petals. They are preserved with layers of sugar and kept in jars until preparation.
As the ingredients suggest, Gulkand is an aromatic, sweet, and delicious treat to the tongue. It is usually brown in appearance and has a sticky texture.
Gulkand is usually enjoyed as it is but can also be paired with other items. It is used to prepare Indian sweets, desserts, milkshakes, health drinks, teas, flavors, as a paan ingredient, etc.
The Gulkand is enjoyed mostly in the summer seasons. It is believed to have a cooling effect on the body and soothe the heating season’s body.
How is Gulkand made?
To understand what Gulkand is, let us find out how it is made.
Gulkand, as we know, is made primarily from rose petals. The rose petals are collected when they are at their peak stages and fully bloomed. Clean, firm, and red petals are to be chosen to ensure a good end product.
These petals are then put into glass jars with layers of sugar. It takes almost a month time for Gulkand to prepare completely.
The jar of petals must be kept in 6 hours of sunlight every day for three to four weeks. The jar ingredients are to be stirred from time to time using a stick or a spoon to facilitate proper mixing of the sugar with the rose petals.
After completing this process, the petals will turn brown, and the sugar will melt and mix, sweetening the entire preparation. The result is a mush of sweet rosy goodness.
Other spices or flavoring agents are often added to this dish to enhance the flavor and health factor of Gulkand.
It is then stored in airtight jars and containers. It is a dish that can be stored and enjoyed for a long time.
But is it safe and enjoyable for all? We just had a look at what goes into the making of Gulkand. What about people who have diabetes?
Let us find out!
Is Gulkand Good for Diabetics?
As the ingredients already suggest, it is not hard to conclude that Gulkand is a no for people with diabetes.
Diabetes is a disorder of blood sugar maintenance in the body. On top of that, if something rich in sugar as Gulkand is added to the diet, it will shoot up uncontrollably and cause serious damage to the health.
Even for people with no diabetes and normal blood sugar levels, too much to Gulkand can be harmful. For diabetics, it is not advisable. Too many carbohydrates also mean that it this on the higher side of the glycemic index.
Diabetic individuals need to add those foods in their diets that are low in glycemic index. High glycemic index foods are not recommended as they can lead to extreme harm and stress in the body.
Gulkand is a preserve of rose petals in sugar. Sugar is the one most important thing that needs to be avoided by diabetic patients. It is a reserve of carbohydrates and can disturb the body’s blood sugar levels.
Diabetic bodies tend to produce insufficient amounts of insulin. Insulin is a necessary hormone that maintains the digestive processes and carries out proper absorption and release of nutrients.
Due to the improper functioning of insulin in the body, there is ineffective absorption of sugar in the body leading to high blood glucose levels.
If such spikes are not controlled, the body can suffer from severe damages and threatening symptoms. Thus, it is best to avoid the consumption of Gulkand.
Gulkand is also an item that leads to weight gain. Its high sugar content leads to the accumulation of carbs in the body, leading to health issues.
Weight loss and management is one of the key necessities of diabetic patients. But with the addition of foods like Gulkand can become an obstacle in maintaining healthy body weight.
We will discuss other effects of this sweet dish as well. But before that, let us have a look at its nutritional composition.
What is the nutritional composition of Gulkand?
We talked about how the servings of Gulkand can be dangerous for the management and control of diabetes. We also mentioned that it is high in sugar and, therefore, carbohydrates.
Let us look at what the actual quantities of these nutrients found in Gulkand are.
We have listed down the contents and quantities of some of the macronutrients that are found in Gulkand. They are as follows:
| Sl. No. | Nutrients available in 10 grams of Gulkand | Amount available |
| 1. | Total Calories | 12 – 15 |
| 2. | Total Carbohydrates | 5.3 g |
| 3. | Dietary fiber | 1.7 g |
| 4. | Sugar | 3.3 g |
| 5. | Water | 5.8 g |
These readings are for a very low amount. As the quantity of consumption increases, the amount of nutrients also increases. Thus, a small serving of Gulkand can lead to a lot of carbs and calories in the body.
For healthy and non-diabetic individuals also, not more than one tablespoon of Gulkand is recommended for a day. Excess quantities of it can be dangerous to the body.
But, it is not all that bad. We also discussed how this is also a medicinal and Ayurvedic item. Let us have a look at the positive sides and effects of Gulkand on health.
What are the Benefits of eating Gulkand?
Gulkand is a very nutritious and healthy supplement for the body. It has been used in Ayurveda for a long time for its health benefits.
The organic ingredients and zero use of chemicals in the making process make Gulkand an amazing food for the body.
Given below are some advantages of having Gulkand:
- It is very nutritious and provides the body with essential nourishment. Gulkand is about 85% to 90% water. Apart from hydration, it is also rich in energy ad it has lots of carbs. Moreover, it also has vitamin C from the rose petals, which is a very enriching and immunity-boosting element.
Rose petals also enrich the body with calcium, carotene, magnesium, copper, antioxidants, flavonoids, phenols, etc.
- As Gulkand is filled with water, it is a great coolant. It is hence one of the best supplements to keep the body cool and soothed in summers. It has been known to prevent summer sunburns, dehydration, nose bleeding, etc.
- Gulkand is also high in fiber. Fiber is a very important nutrient in the body as it adds roughage, assisting in better digestion. This, in turn, also leads to the prevention of ailments like constipation, indigestion, etc.
- The cooling sensation of Gulkand also reduces the occurrence of mouth ulcers and other internal inflammations that occur during the summer seasons.
- Rose petals are also used for their anti-microbial properties, which are also found in Gulkand.
- Gulkand is also a medicinal supplement that improves menstrual health and releases tough menstrual and other health problems among women.
- It is mixed with several other Ayurvedic medicines to be used as a treatment. Gulkand has many curing properties, and it is appreciated the most for its organic contents and making.
What are the side-effects of eating Gulkand?
Along with the many benefits, there are several other factors to take into consideration as well. There can be certain harmful effects of the Gulkand as well. They include:
- The excess amount of sugar can lead to diabetes or prediabetes if not taken in controlled amounts. It can also heighten the existing diabetic conditions in the body.
- It can hamper weight loss and add more pounds to the body weight.
- It can have adverse effects on individuals who have allergies to the ingredients used in the making of Gulkand.
References
- https://wellnessmunch.com/8-health-benefits-of-gulkand-you-must-not-ignore/
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