Can Diabetics Eat Pomegranate

Pomegranate is one of the popular fruits eaten across the globe. Virtually, it is omnipresent with its wide usage in salads, smoothies, and juices.

The pomegranate shrub requires a tropical climate to flourish; it is cultivated mainly in South Asian countries like India, Nepal, China, and also in the regions around the Mediterranean Sea, some parts of Africa, and some of the parts of the Middle East.

The pomegranate fruit holds the multiple, juicy, flaming red seeds that pack in volumes of nutritional benefits.

Can Diabetics Eat Pomegranate?

Yes, a person with diabetes can eat pomegranates.

Diabetics suffer from chronic inflammations throughout their bodies. The flavonoid antioxidants present in pomegranate help reduce the symptoms of chronic inflammation in people with Type 2 Diabetes.

The pomegranate glycemic index is 54, and the pomegranate juice glycemic index is 18. Both are considered moderate glycemic indexes.

A glass of pomegranate juice daily can also help in reducing the bad cholesterol in diabetes patients. Low, bad cholesterol is a sign of good heart health.

Knowing the benefits of this fruit, even doctors advise people with diabetes to include pomegranates in their daily diet.

5 Benefits Of Pomegranate

Pomegranate is often called a ‘Power food’ for people having diabetes because of the plentiful benefits the fruit serves to someone with diabetes. Including pomegranates in their daily diet can benefit diabetics in the following ways-

1. Nutritional Value- Pomegranate is a rich source of Vitamin C, fibers, and minerals such as Potassium. These nutrients are known to assist in weight loss and also combat diseases like cancer. 

Pomegranates also contain antioxidants like punicalagin. These antioxidants help in the oxidization of healthy cells by removing toxins from them.

2. Pain Relief- Pomegranate contains punicalagin antioxidants. These punicalagin compounds help in reducing fatigue and muscle pain resulting from chronic inflammations in diabetics. 

3. Reduce Blood Sugar- Pomegranates, like other fruits, contain natural sugars. However, the sugar present in pomegranate has some vital antioxidants. This combination helps to reduce the blood glucose level; and also to keep it in check.

4. Reduce Bad Cholesterol- It is quite common for a person with diabetes to suffer from heart complications as well. Heart diseases like Arteriosclerosis and strokes are common among diabetics with Type 2 diabetes.

Having a pomegranate daily can help reduce bad cholesterol, and it does not have a side effect on good cholesterol.

5. Increase Insulin Production and Sensitivity- Pomegranates can aid the pancreas to produce more insulin in the body. Certain phytochemicals present in pomegranates (gallic acid, tannins) can help the body fight insulin resistance and better insulin sensitivity.

While pomegranate has mostly positives in store for diabetics, it may also have side-effects for some. Always consult a doctor while including pomegranates in your diet if you have diabetes.

Pomegranate is not suitable for people who are allergic to the fruit. If you have an underlying problem of low blood pressure, pomegranate is known to reduce blood pressure levels.

Some FAQs About Pomegranates for Diabetes

Listed below are some faq’s about pomegranates for diabetics-

Does pomegranate increase blood sugar?

Pomegranates contain natural sugars. But these natural sugars have teemed with antioxidants like punicalagin and punicic acid. 

Consuming these antioxidants has a variety of benefits ranging from reducing blood sugar levels to pain relief.

So, pomegranate does necessarily increase blood sugar. It helps to control the levels of blood sugar in diabetics.

Can diabetics eat pomegranate seeds?

Eating pomegranate every day has a lot of health benefits in store for people having diabetes. The seeds of the pomegranate form the edible part of the fruit. 

Knowing all the benefits a person with diabetes can derive from eating pomegranates daily is safe for diabetics to eat pomegranate seeds.

Is pomegranate high in sugar?

Like we mentioned earlier, pomegranate contains natural sugars teemed with antioxidants. So, we can infer that just like other fruits, pomegranates contain sugar.

We also know about the positive effect of antioxidants present in pomegranates on a diabetes patient. The antioxidants seem to positively impact the body of someone with diabetes and maintain the blood sugar levels instead.

Is pomegranate good for Diabetes Type 1?

A person with Diabetes Type 1 needs to maintain his blood sugar regularly. Pomegranates help in maintaining the blood sugar levels in the body. Therefore, including pomegranate in a daily diet is favorable for a person with diabetes type 1.

Is pomegranate good for Diabetes Type 2?

People with Diabetes Type two are more prone to chronic inflammations and heart diseases. Apart from aiding in the maintenance of blood sugar levels in the body, antioxidants present in pomegranates help reduce the symptoms of chronic inflammation and heart diseases.

Eating the fruit or drinking the juice is beneficial for someone with diabetes type 2.

Is the sugar in pomegranate juice bad for you?

In a half glass of pomegranate juice, there are roughly 16 grams of sugar. This sugar is similar to the sugar that is present in other fruit juices. However, due to the presence of flavonoid antioxidants, it does not increase blood sugar level but keeps it in control.

So, if you are diagnosed with diabetes, drinking pomegranate juice will do you more good than harming your body.

Summary

Pomegranate is one of the many fruits that a person having diabetes can eat, although in moderation.

It is often asked whether it is okay to eat fruits like pomegranates when you are battling a medical condition like diabetes. Rest assured, it is one of the best foods you can anyways eat without worrying much about your blood sugar levels.

No doubt, naturally occurring sugars are present in pomegranates, but antioxidants that keep blood sugar levels in check, along with sugars, are also present. Apart from keeping blood sugar levels in check, eating pomegranates also controls the bad cholesterol.

Due to the punicalagin antioxidants, pomegranates can also provide relief from chronic inflammations to diabetes type 2 patients.

With a moderate glycemic index of both- pomegranate and pomegranate juice (54 and 18, respectively), pomegranates should be included in the diets of diabetic patients, with adequate consultation from your doctor.