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What Are the Benefits of Pomegranate for Diabetes?

Brandon May
Brandon May

Research into the effects of pomegranate for diabetes has shown that the fruit may help protect the heart in diabetes patients against future atherosclerosis. Diabetic patients are at a higher risk for developing heart disease later in life, mainly due to poor blood glucose control, making preventive steps important. Pomegranate juice, although high in sugar, may contain antioxidants that help protect the inner lining of blood vessels from being damaged by free radicals and free-floating glucose. Used moderately with other approaches like medicine, exercise and a proper diet, pomegranate may show promise in future diabetic treatments.

Studies into the effects of natural ingredients like fruits and vegetables have shown that pomegranate may be promising in future diabetes-prevention treatments. Many diabetic patients are prone to developing atherosclerosis, or heart disease, later in life, often due to poor diabetic and blood glucose control. Uncontrolled blood sugar can often cause wear and tear on arteries and blood vessels, increasing the chance of stroke and future heart problems. Antioxidants, like the powerful ones found in the fruit pomegranate, may protect against these damaging effects, helping reduce the risk of developing serious heart conditions.

Pomegranate seeds.
Pomegranate seeds.

In most healthy patients, the pomegranate has been somewhat associated with improved heart health. Researchers studying the effects of pomegranate for diabetes treatment have shown that diabetic patients can improve their good cholesterol levels with pomegranate juice and decrease their bad cholesterol levels. A high cholesterol level in the form of LDL, or low density lipoproteins, is often a common concern for diabetics and is a common risk factor for diabetic heart-related problems later in life. Although these findings applied to diabetic patients, most researchers presume they can apply to most healthy individuals.

Glass of pomegranate juice.
Glass of pomegranate juice.

With pomegranate related to diabetes, it is often recommended that a person eat the whole fruit rather than consume the juice, which is often high in sugar. Although pomegranate juice does contain a higher concentration of antioxidants and nutrients, the whole fruit contains fiber that can help slow down blood sugar spikes. Most research involving pomegranate for diabetes-related heart conditions usually examines the juice, yet most nutritionists recommend that this may aggravate blood glucose and provide further inflammation and damage to insulin receptors. More research is needed on the effects of pomegranate for diabetes, and future treatments involving certain aspects of the pomegranate may be developed for future diabetes-prevention plans.

Discussion Comments

serenesurface

@feruze-- Pomegranate juice can cause a blood sugar spike in some people. You should try a half glass and then test your blood sugar one or two hours later to make sure it doesn't cause too much of an increase. If you eat the whole fruit, you will get less carbs and less sugar.

If both pomegranate and pomegranate juice has a bad effect on your blood sugar, you can take pomegranate supplements instead. Make sure they don't have sugar.

I personally think that for a diabetic with high cholesterol and normal blood sugar levels, pomegranate has more benefits than risks.

bear78

Isn't pomegranate juice too high in carbohydrates to be okay for diabetics?

And how frequently does a diabetic need to consume pomegranate to prevent atherosclerosis?

fify

I'm a diabetic and I love pomegranate. My love for it has increased since I was diagnosed. I wonder if the body craves what it needs?!

I didn't know that pomegranate is so beneficial for diabetics. I just love the taste! I crave the sweet but tangy flavor and I love the color and seeds. I always eat whole pomegranate though and not the juice. The juice doesn't have fiber like the whole fruit and I think it's more fun to eat the fruit. It can be tough to eat because the juice can make a mess and leave stains on clothes. But I break the fruit up in small pieces and eat with large plate underneath.

The other reason I prefer whole fruit is because it has less sugar. Since it has fiber, the sugar doesn't increase blood sugar very quickly. I check my blood sugar frequently and I haven't had any issues with pomegranate.

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