Can melon be eaten with type 2 diabetes

The appetizing fruits of a melon are literally capable of giving a person happiness - due to the special compounds that make up their composition, and in particular a substance called choline. The aromatic delicacy is famous not only for its taste, but also for a number of healing properties, thanks to which the melon is successfully used in folk medicine.

One of the disorders of the body's metabolic functions is diabetes mellitus. With an abundance of unhealthy food, this disease affects not only elderly patients, but also young people. From the article you will learn whether or not it is possible to consume melon for type 2 diabetes, and whether this product will alleviate or aggravate the condition of patients.

Melon pulp composition

To assess the beneficial and harmful properties of melon, it is worth understanding the composition of the edible part of the fruit. There are several varieties of melons on the Russian market:

• Collective farmer - has a classic even rounded shape with a thin yellow peel and whitish-yellow pulp;
• Torpedo - oval elongated shape with a network of cracks on a pale yellow skin;
• Pineapple melon - has an oval shape and a yellow-orange peel with cracks;
• Catalupa - round oval with green skin and bright orange flesh;
• Ethiopian - has oval-rounded fruits with a rough skin, longitudinal veins divide them into slices, the color of the pulp is white.

There are rare exotic varieties of Vietnamese melon, Mouse and Horned melon, which is called Kiwano.

The content of nutrients in the pulp varies depending on the variety and growing conditions. Average indicators for varieties Kolkhoznitsa and Kantalupa are presented in the table.

In diabetes, it is important to get enough zinc in the body. The highest concentration of this trace element is found in the fruits of the Cantalupa variety.

When asked if melon raises blood sugar, the answer is unequivocal - yes. The pulp of ripe fruits of all varieties contains from 6 to 10 g of simple carbohydrates per 100 g of the edible part. Simple carbohydrates are represented by sucrose, glucose and fructose. The content of these substances directly affects the glycemic index of the product.

For type 2 diabetics, endocrinologists and nutritionists recommend:

• include in the diet foods with a glycemic index of 55 and below without restrictions;
• with an average (56-69 units) - use in moderation;
• with high (from 70 and above) - exclude.

Melon pulp glycemic index - 65 units, therefore, the consumption of this fruit with diabetes is recommended to limit.

Melon health benefits

The biologically active substances contained in the melon pulp have a number of positive effects on the human body:

• easily digestible carbohydrates help the nervous system to recover from stress, operations and injuries;
• vitamins A and E help to rejuvenate and renew skin cells;
• beta-carotene restores twilight vision;
• water (90-92% in the composition) helps to endure the heat in summer, protects against dehydration;
• vitamin C supports the immune system, participates in the synthesis of blood enzymes and collagen - a building block of connective tissue protein;
• vitamin K is responsible for blood clotting;
• vitamins PP and group B normalize metabolism, restore the functions of the nervous, muscular, cardiovascular and circulatory systems;
• choline stimulates the production of serotonin, a pleasure hormone that reduces stress and nervous tension;
• phytosterols reduce blood cholesterol levels;
• potassium and magnesium relaxes nerve and muscle tissues;
• calcium is a structural component of tooth enamel and bone tissue, which is also necessary for the contractile function of muscle fibers and blood clotting;
• sulfur, selenium and phosphorus promote hair and nail growth, improve skin color;
• iron, copper, cobalt and manganese are involved in the synthesis of blood cells, stimulate the protective function of the liver, help the body recover from intoxication;
• zinc improves the synthesis of insulin and a number of other active enzymes;
• iodine - a structural component of thyroid hormones of the thyroid gland, regulates metabolic processes.

Melon pulp is a low-calorie product, despite its high content of simple carbohydrates. In limited quantities, it is included in fat-burning diets, but it is not recommended for patients with grade 2 and 3 obesity, since melon pulp phytosterols can aggravate atherosclerosis.

The consumption of melon will ease the condition of patients with anemia and osteoporosis, stress and trauma. It is useful to use this product for problems with the digestive tract, cystitis, bleeding disorders.

Zinc in melon pulp prevents the development of diabetes mellitus, but with an already developed disease it can slightly alleviate the condition of patients. 100 g of melon pulp meet 1% of the body's need for zinc. Since its amount is small, the benefits of melon do not offset the harm from carbohydrate intake in diabetes.

Types of diabetes and melon

For reasons of the development of the disease, diabetes is divided into hereditary (type 1) and acquired (type 2).

Signs of type 1 diabetes:

1. It is inherited, diagnosed from birth.
2. Associated with the synthesis of insulin in an inactive form or its absence.
3. It is found in all age categories.
4. The amount of subcutaneous adipose tissue is reduced, and body weight may be insufficient or normal.
5. Throughout their lives, patients are forced to take insulin injections.
6. A low-carb diet is not prescribed, but insulin should be taken after a meal.

Type 1 diabetics can eat melon, but only with joint insulin therapy.

Signs of type 2 diabetes:

1. It is not inherited, it develops with uncontrolled consumption of sugar-containing products. Often accompanied by obesity and other metabolic disorders. In rare cases, it develops with a prolonged inflammatory process or with pancreatic cancer, when beta cells die.
2. Insulin is synthesized, but the cells of the body lose their sensitivity to it. Glucose accumulates in the blood and is converted to fats, which are deposited in the subcutaneous layer. As a result, by-products are formed in the body - ketone bodies, which are excreted in urine and exhaled air (fruit breath).
3. Patients are often overweight.
4. Type 2 diabetics are elderly or middle-aged patients.
5. Type 2 diabetes medications do not contain insulin, but increase the sensitivity of cells to this hormone.
6. A low-carbohydrate diet is prescribed that eliminates sugar and foods with a high glycemic index.

Melon for diabetes mellitus can be consumed in limited quantities.

Restrictions and rules for the use of melon in type II diabetes

The rate of consumption for patients with type 2 diabetes is 100-200 g of pulp per day.At the same time, other foods with carbohydrates are excluded from the daily diet.

To reduce your risk of spikes in blood sugar, take note of the following life hacks:

1. Choose unripe fruits, they contain less sugar and more fiber.
2. Among the varieties of sweet melon for diabetes, it is optimal to choose Cantaloupe, which contains less sugar and glucose, but more zinc.
3. Melon variety that lowers blood sugar levels - Momordica... It has bitter fruits, is not too tasty and juicy, but contains all the useful elements and relieves diabetes.
   

   Momordica
4. Melon is not recommended to be consumed with honey, ice cream, cream and milk.
5. Along with melon, you can eat some coconut oil, which will slow down the flow of glucose into the blood.

Despite its many beneficial properties, not everyone can eat melon.It is excluded from the diet:

• patients with inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, for example, gastritis, colitis, peptic ulcer;
• nursing mothers, since the substances of melon pulp, having entered breast milk, cause bloating and colic in an infant;
• with obesity of 2 and 3 degrees, like other carbohydrate-containing foods.

Moderate intake of melon with diabetes will not harm the body.

Read also:

Can you eat watermelon for type 2 diabetes?

Why oats are useful for diabetes and how to use it correctly.

Is it possible to eat pumpkin seeds for type 2 diabetes.

Whether or not beets can be used for type 2 diabetes.

Conclusion

When asked if diabetics can have a melon, the answer is up to 200 g per day. Like all fruits, melon contains simple, easily digestible carbohydrates, the amount of which should be limited in the diet of patients with diabetes. When consuming this product, it is recommended to additionally eat some coconut oil, which slows down the rate of sugar absorption.

When buying, choose the slightly unripe Cantaloupe, which contains less sugar than other sweet varieties. To lower blood sugar levels, it is recommended to consume the fruit of the Momordika bitter melon.