Blueberries! Who doesn’t love them? They are so dawg-gone delicious, they’re hard to resist. But did you know that it was recently revealed that the tender, sweet, ground fruit can also positively impact a person’s diabetic symptoms. Well, keep this fact in mind the next time your blood sugar starts soaring; researchers have demonstrated that drinking concentrated blueberry juice can significantly lower glucose levels following a meal.
The tiny berry is a fruit designed for diabetics. Blueberries only contain 10 grams of sugar for 100 grams of blueberries. Add to the fact that the sugar contains 2 grams of fiber and it easy to understand why blueberries are such a wise choice for diabetics. The fiber ensures that the fruit from the sugar is absorbed slowly, helping guarantee blood sugar levels won’t spike once the fruit is consumed. That is the reason why 10 grams of sugar obtained from blueberries will not have the same effect on your body as ten grams of sugar obtained from a cookie.
Dr Gordon McDougall, a research scientist at the James Hutton Institute in the UK, said: “Recent work has provided evidence that polyphenols from berries can have a range of beneficial effects on food digestion.” Dr. Andreas Kolb, senior research fellow at the Rowett Institute in Aberdeen, said: “Using model systems and human studies, we are investigating the mechanisms by which berry bio-active compounds support cardiovascular health, weight management and the control of blood glucose levels relevant to type 2 diabetes.”
How effective are blueberries at countering diabetes? Well, a study of over 187,000 people tracked for two decades noted that the subjects who ate the most blueberries had a 25 percent less chance of being diagnosed with diabetes than those who ate the fewest.
And don’t forget that blueberries, and other berries, are loaded with antioxidants which mean they can help lower blood pressure and dilate blood vessels.
So why not consider making blueberries as part of your healthy life plan. Not only are they delicious snacks, they spice up salads with a delicious zest. Sure, they can be expensive especially in the winter months, but remember, frozen blueberries are still nutritious and often much more affordable.
