We often hear that people with diabetes should not eat sweet foods because it can cause a big spike in blood sugar. This article explains if those tips also apply to honey, and if honey really poses a risk to diabetics. The body's energy source is glucose level in the bloodand the pancreas releases insulin hormone that helps keep blood sugar at a safe level.
Today we’ll learn about how honey affects blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, because Fitness Garage They always care about every little detail related to your health.
Replacing sugar with honey for diabetics:
Natural honey might be a healthy alternative to white sugar, cane sugar, and powdered sugar, But it should also be used in moderation, and you should always make sure it’s pure honey because some companies add extra sugar. Honey provides many nutrients like fiber and water, which helps reduce blood sugar spikes.
What is honey?
Raw honey is a mix of nectar and some sugars, naturally stored by bees in honeycombs, and it's like many other sugar sources it has a very high amount of carbs, like all carbs, it is made of glucose and fructose, and it also has minerals and antioxidants.
The difference between raw honey and processed honey:
There are many types of honey now in markets that are processed, and this processing strips the honey of its nutritional value, benefits, but raw honey helps treat seasonal allergies, and in addition Reduces inflammation that happens in the body, and improves good cholesterol levels in the body, but children under one year should not eat honey because it can cause serious health problems for them.
Nutritional values:
One tablespoon of honey, weighs about 21 grams, contains 64 calories, Unlike white sugar which has 80 calories for the same amount.
This amount of honey contains:
- 3 grams of water.
- 17 grams of sugar.
- 11 milligrams of potassium.
- 1 mg of phosphorus
- 1 mg of calcium
- 1 mg of sodium
- 0.1 of vitamin C
It also contains vitamin B and many other nutrients, There are many differences between white sugar and raw honey, becauseHoney has some enzymes that help digest it but sugar needs enzymes from the body, And honey does not raise blood sugar levels much.
Health benefits:
The first benefit: There are some health benefits for type 2 diabetes patients after eating sugar
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Effect on blood sugar levels
A study proved that honey affects blood sugar much less than grape sugar, and after 30 minutes honey helps lower blood sugar more than grape sugar. This is explained by honey helping to release more insulin which balances blood sugar again.
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Improving blood sugar levels
The second benefit: honey affects blood glucose in some ways which are
1- lowers blood glucose levels during fasting periods
2- helps the pancreas know the right amount of insulin hormone to release
The third benefit: works as an anti-inflammatory
Many studies showed that sugar helps wounds heal faster, and makes metabolism easier, and reduces many complications that can happen because of diabetes, and also reduce the risks of getting atherosclerosis.
Before using honey as a sugar substitute, check with your doctor to know the allowed amount based on your health, so you can benefit from its health advantages.
