Is it possible to eat pumpkin seeds for type 2 diabetes and how to do it wisely
Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common diseases in the world. To live a fulfilling life and avoid complications, people with this disorder try to eat foods with the lowest carbohydrate content.
Pumpkin seeds are not only possible but also necessary to be included in the diet of diabetics. The benefits of seeds for this disease are proven and undeniable. They not only serve as an excellent prevention of complications, but also bring the blood sugar level to normal. It is about these magic seeds that will be discussed in our article.
The content of the article
Composition and KBZHU
Pumpkin seeds good not only in taste, but also in their rich composition. They contain a lot of nutrients that are vital for our body:
- pectin;
- amino acids;
- saturated fatty acids (arachidic, behenic, palmitic, stearic, myristic);
- unsaturated fatty acids (oleic, linolenic, linoleic, arachidonic, omega-6, omega-3);
- phytosterol;
- vitamins, especially a large amount of vitamin PP (100 g of dried seeds contains 170% of the daily value);
- mineral salts;
- alimentary fiber.
The mineral components of the seeds are unique and amaze with their variety. They contain elements such as:
- manganese - 230%;
- phosphorus - 155%;
- magnesium - 145%;
- copper - 135%;
- zinc - 65%;
- iron - 50%.
And in small quantities:
- silicon;
- selenium;
- chlorine;
- cobalt;
- potassium;
- choline;
- iodine.
The sunflower seeds contain about 50 useful macro- and microelements. A deficiency of these components leads to weakness, decreased muscle tone, headaches, disorders of the urinary and cardiovascular systems.
Pumpkin seeds contain a large number of amino acids:
- tryptophan (0.6 g) - 145%;
- arginine (5.4 g) - 100%;
- phenylalanine and tyrosine (2.8 g) - 100%;
- valine (1.6 g) - 85%;
- isoleucine (1.3 g) - 85%;
- leucine (2.4 g) - 75%;
- histidine (0.78 g) - 71%;
- methionine and cysteine (0.95 g) - 65%;
- threonine (1 g) - 65%;
- lysine (1.2 g) - 35%.
Separately, it should be said about two amino acids: arginine and tryptophan. Arginine is responsible for building muscle, while tryptophan promotes healthy sleep, fast metabolism, and good mood.
The product includes vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B9, C, D, E. They are necessary for the body for stable work, are responsible for the production of hormones and the human immune system.
The calorie content of pumpkin seeds is 541 kcal per 100 g of product. They include:
- fats - 45.8 g;
- proteins - 24.5 g;
- carbohydrates - 4.7 g.
The seeds have a low glycemic index of only 25 units.
Pumpkin seeds for type 2 diabetes
To compensate for type 2 diabetes, many people follow a diet. Diet therapy involves eating foods with a low glycemic index.
reference... The glycemic index is a measure of the effect of carbohydrates in food on blood sugar levels.
For food, it has the following meanings:
- up to 50 units - low;
- 50-69 UNITS - medium;
- 70 units and above - high.
The glycemic index of pumpkin seeds is only 25 units. This means that with type 2 diabetes, they are not only possible but also necessary to be eaten. But do not abuse this product, as it has a high calorie content.
Important! Consuming pumpkin seeds does not affect blood glucose levels, as they are low in sugars.
Benefit and harm
Pumpkin seeds are very beneficial for people with diabetes because they:
- remove toxins and reduce cholesterol;
- restore the pancreas;
- increase the number of beta cells;
- increase the production of insulin cells;
- promote weight loss and normalize weight;
- significantly reduce the number of insulin injections.
The only harm of seeds for people with diabetes is their high calorie content.
Contraindications
The negative effect of pumpkin seeds on the human body is minimal, but still they should not be neglected. So, you need to use the product with caution when:
- stomach ulcer and gastritis;
- thinned tooth enamel;
- being overweight;
- individual intolerance;
- joint problems.
Traditional medicine recipes
Due to their beneficial properties, pumpkin seeds are widely used in folk medicine. There are many recipes using this product.
With diabetes mellitus, the kidneys are often affected. To minimize this problem, you can make your own pumpkin seed preparation.
This requires:
- grind peeled seed kernels in a blender or coffee grinder to a powder;
- pour a glass of boiling water;
- let it brew for an hour;
- strain through cheesecloth or fine sieve.
Drink the resulting drink twice a day, 200 ml. You need to use 400 ml of boiling water and two tablespoons of powder per day.
Due to the violation of lipid-fat metabolism in diabetes, patients are often faced with a disease such as atherosclerosis. This disease is characterized by the deposition of fat in the large blood vessels. Pumpkin seeds can help prevent this problem.
To prepare a healing broth you will need:
- pumpkin seeds - 10 g;
- raspberry leaves - 10 g;
- lingonberry leaves - 10 g;
- badan leaves - 10 g;
- oregano herb - 10 g;
- purified water.
All components must be ground into powder, observing the proportions: 300 ml of water for 15 g. Leave the broth for 20 minutes, then strain. Consume 100 ml three times a day.
Undoubtedly, pumpkin seeds are a valuable product. They save from many diseases and saturate the body with useful substances. There are many simple recipes for the prevention or treatment of various diseases using pumpkin seeds.
They help well with motion sickness and toxicosis, with their help remove tape and other large worms... Also, seeds are used in cosmetology.
Recommendations for use
In order for pumpkin seeds to have the necessary effect on the body, you need to know how to use them correctly.
Traditional medicine gives the following recommendations:
- seeds are best eaten only raw;
- the product should not be salted;
- do not use bitter seeds;
- pay attention to the smell: if it is rotten and unpleasant, do not eat these seeds;
- clean the grains only with your hands, and not with your teeth;
- do not eat sunflower seeds.
Methods for adding seeds to diabetic diet
How to correctly introduce pumpkin seeds into a diabetic's diet? First of all, you need to consult with a specialist who will give recommendations on the use of the product. But there are general rules that should be taken into account:
- daily intake of seeds - no more than 60 seeds per day;
- it is better to include seeds in the diet gradually, that is, consume no more than two times a week;
- The best way to introduce seeds into your diet is to add them to food: salads, cereals and smoothies.
Read also:
A tasty and healthy medicine is pumpkin seeds with honey for prostatitis.
The best pumpkin varieties for seeds: features of choice and nuances of growing.
Conclusion
With type 2 diabetes, you should not neglect such a valuable product as pumpkin seeds. They are essential for maintaining health, but the use of seeds should be approached wisely, carefully weighing all the pros and cons.
The key to their positive effect on the human body lies in the observance of the daily consumption rate and the quality of the seeds themselves. To begin with, it will be useful to consult with a specialist.