Last Updated on May 4, 2023 by Dr Sharon Baisil MD
Well, Pumpkin is a debatable food item, but all in all, they are considered as a healthy food option to eat, even for people with diabetes.
Knowing how the consumption and inclusion of pumpkin can affect your blood sugar level is necessary to manage and run a diabetic lifestyle.
The pumpkin is generally low in calories and can be supported by a diabetic body system, but there is more than just that. A pumpkin has around 94% of water, and hence, the calorie count is less.
The composition and studies about the pumpkin have shown ranging differences, but in a way, these make a perfect combination and make the pumpkin fit for consumption by Diabetics.
Can Diabetics Eat Pumpkin?
Pumpkins have been tested and proven to be a good and healthy supplement for diabetics to include in their diets. Not only does it support one’s blood sugars to be under control, but it can also assist in the overall wellness of the human body.
Let us discuss a little about the Glycemic Index of this vegetable, which is an important measure to classify foods as healthy or unhealthy for consumption by people with diabetes.
The glycemic index of the pumpkin is on the higher side. It has a Glycemic Index of 75, which is considered not as suitable for the body’s blood sugar levels. But then how is it suitable for the consumption of diabetic patients?
This is sorted out by the Glycemic Load or the GL of this vegetable. The Glycemic load is another crucial mark to measure the level of carbohydrate in a food item. The Glycemic Load of pumpkin is only 3.
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This means that the impact of the carbohydrates present in one serving of food is very low. Usually, foods that show a Glycemic load of less than 10 are said to be very low impactful on the body’s blood sugar.
The Glycemic Load is a more efficient way of judging and categorizing food as healthy instead of only taking into account the Glycemic Index of the food.
The Glycemic Index of the pumpkin is although high at 75, but the low rank of Glycemic Load, that is, only 3, makes it fit for consumption by diabetics.
Therefore, it is safe to have a regular portion serving of the pumpkin, and it would not cause any irregular spikes in the blood sugar levels.
Despite this, one must not eat vast quantities of the pumpkin at once, because that can be dangerous and risky to the blood sugar levels, and create a drastic rise in the body.
Diabetic patients need to have proper knowledge of portions and controlling quantities of food containing carbohydrates.
Some studies have also conducted experiments to prove the goodness of pumpkins and its effects on diabetic health. The presence of these two compounds – Trigonelline and Nicotinic, is excellent for promoting lower levels of sugar in the blood, and it also helps in preventing diabetes.
An experiment conducted on lab mice showed that the consumption of pumpkin has improved the controlled release of sugars in the body and encouraged insulin sensitivity, which are two essential elements in the proper maintenance of diabetes.
The presence of carbohydrates like polysaccharides and a compound called puerarin is what helps in regulating the levels of sugar in the blood flow and also prevents improper functioning of the insulin.
Along with lowering the blood sugar levels and not having any harmful reactions in diabetic patients, one can also have increased benefit from the consumption of pumpkin as it is also rich in fiber.
The fiber content is very necessary for the body for proper digestion. IT helps reduce the pace of digestion, and therefore, the sugars released in the body are also slowly carried out.
Thus, the fiber content in foods prevents any unexpected splurges in the blood sugar levels and keeps the gut health maintained.
Other Benefits of eating Pumpkin:
– With the presence of many essential nutrients, the pumpkin is also very high in Vitamin A. Vitamin A is related to containing many benefits and keeping away many known diseases. It is also great for improving vision.
– The free radicals that are present in the body can be dangerous and, over time, result in chronic disorders. The presence of useful antioxidants in the pumpkin helps keep away these free radicals and save the body from adverse health effects. It also helps to reduce inflammatory symptoms in the body.
– Antioxidants found in the pumpkin can also have positive effects on the skin as it protects our skin from sun damage. It is also great for lowering heart-related disease risks and risks of cancer.
– The reserve of various nutrients, vitamins, and minerals assists in the overall working of the body and thus boosts the immunity and keeps one healthy.
– The pumpkin, although is full is necessary nutritional supplements, the calories that it has is very low. Although rich in carbs, the pumpkin does not have a remarkably increased effect on the body as it is also enriched with fiber.
You can have pumpkins without worrying about too many calories, and it will also fulfill your appetite because of the rich fiber content. It is hence an excellent option for maintaining a diet and losing weight.
The pumpkin can be cooked in several ways; the dishes can be made as sweet dishes, savory ones, or even added in a variety of other recipes to reap the benefits of the pumpkin.
Consider adding the pumpkin to soups, salads, and healthy recipes, instead of eating it in pies, candies, juices, pastry fillings, muffins, cupcakes, baked items, etc. These can have added sugars, which can raise the amount of sugar that is already found in the pumpkin.
Just as the various nutritional benefits found in the pumpkin, its seeds, and flowers are also among its good bits, pumpkin seeds are high for many different things. Let us discuss various advantages of pumpkin seeds for diabetic patients.
Can diabetic patients eat pumpkin seeds?
Pumpkin seeds are very beneficial to the body and also have many advantages for patients who have diabetes. It is safe to take these tiny seeds as they do not affect blood sugar levels.
Individuals who are diagnosed with the Type 2 Diabetes are more likely to gain the benefit of eating pumpkin seeds. It is said to be efficient in reducing blood sugar levels, especially in patients with Type 2 Diabetes.
Taking pumpkin seed powders or even the seeds with other nuts can be a good snacking option. They are healthy and have a nutty texture and taste.
Magnesium is a nutrition that is found in the pumpkin seeds in full quantities. Diabetic patients are even recommended to have diets rich in magnesium as it can decrease the risk of diabetes.
A study found that the eating of food items rich in magnesium can be useful in reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in men by 33%. In women, this critical risk of developing the blood sugar level chronic ailment can reduce up to 34% with an increased intake of magnesium.
The pumpkin seeds are also rich in fiber. As we discussed earlier, the fiber in foods can be perfect for better digestion and keeps the blood sugar levels low.
Diabetic patients must adopt High-fiber containing diets as this assists in maintaining and reducing the diabetic condition and promotes good digestive health.
The fiber in the diet can also be useful in keeping away heart diseases, developing diabetes, and even controlling obesity in individuals.
Some more benefits of consuming Pumpkin Seeds:
Apart from its potential of controlling and reducing diabetes and encouraging fiber benefits in the body, the intake of pumpkin seeds has a lot of other benefits as well:
– The tiny green shell-less pumpkin seeds have many nutrient reserves that promote several health benefits in the human body. Apart from the general protein, fat, and carbs, it also has the right amount of other minerals such as Phosphorus, Magnesium, Iron, Manganese, Zinc, Copper, and Iron. It is also a source of vitamin K.
– Pumpkin seeds are also high in certain antioxidants, such as Carotenoids. Vitamin E. Antioxidants are essential to keep away inflammation and release the body from harmful free radicals that can cause a lot of chronic diseases.
– One of the significant benefits of pumpkin seeds is that they are linked to assisting in reducing the risks towards developing certain types of cancers, including – stomach, colon, prostate, breast, and lung cancers. The lignans found in the pumpkin seeds are said to reduce the chances of developing breast cancer. Also, the consumption of pumpkin seeds is said to reduce the growth pace of prostate cancer.
– Pumpkin seeds also contain the ability to drive a good heart and maintain proper functioning and health. The presence of antioxidants, fatty acids, magnesium, and zinc are healthy for heart health maintenance.
The pumpkin seed oil is also great for reducing high blood pressure and harmful cholesterol levels in the body. It also increases the presence of nitric oxide in the body.
This is useful in having a positive effect on heart health in middle-aged men and women. Thus, all in all, the inclusion of pumpkin seeds, its powder, its oil, etc. can have a significant effect on maintaining heart health and also keeping away the risks of any heart-related risks.
– The consumption of pumpkin seeds by men is said to be beneficial in improving fertility. The richness of zinc in these seeds helps increase and better the quality of sperm and improve the production as well as secretion of testosterone in the body, leading to the overall development and health benefit of the body.
– With other benefits to the body, magnesium, amino acids, and zinc can also help improve the quality of sleep in men and women.
Daily consumption of the pumpkin seeds before bed can help promote sleep. It also stimulates the serotonin and melatonin hormones that, in turn, regulate sleep and rest cycles.
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