Diabetes is the disease when the metabolism of carbohydrates gets impaired and the person suffers from the hyperglycemia. Foods play a very important role in the management of diabetes. There are various fruits and vegetables which are advised to avoid during the problem of diabetes and grapes are one of them. Grapes contain carbohydrates in the form of natural sugars and they can also provide you the significant amounts of calories if taken in too much amounts.
Glycemic index of grapes:
Glycemic index of the food indicate that how fast and high blood sugar rises after the consumption of that particular food. Grapes have the high glycemic index and this is the reason they are not recommended for the people with the problem of diabetes. But grapes also contain the fiber and water in a single serving so it has a low glycemic load. It means a diabetic patient can take the grapes sometimes in a very less quantities or with the combination of some low glycemic foods.
Red grapes for diabetics:
A diabetic patient can take the red grapes because they are high in vitamins, minerals and fiber and the sugars present in them are naturally occurring sugars. Fiber present in these grapes prevents the body to absorb the nutrients from the grapes too quickly and prevent the blood glucose spikes. Red grapes have an antibacterial and antiviral property so they help to lessen the infection rate. So intake of red grapes is the better choice than the green grapes for a diabetic patient.
Antioxidants in grapes:
Grapes are rich in antioxidants; antioxidants are the molecules which help the body to fight the free radicals. Free radicals are the molecules produced in the body after metabolism or by the environmental pollutants, cigarette smoking and tobacco consumption. Thus the antioxidants help to prevent the oxidation of other molecules. This antioxidant property can also help to improve the condition of diabetes.
Grapes and gestational diabetes:
Grapes contain large amounts of carbohydrates so should be avoided in excessive amounts if someone is suffering from gestational diabetes. However normal consumption of grapes cannot lead to the development of gestational diabetes. Folate found in grapes is helpful in pregnancy. It prevents neurological problems in the newborn.
A diabetic patient should take the grapes with other foods. One can mix grapes with fruits which have a lower glycemic index like raspberries, blackberry and jamun. Always remember that grapes are beneficial for a diabetic patient but one need to consume them in adequate amounts because they are high in calories too.
Following is the recipe for the grape salad which you can try at your home:
Red Grapes salad
• 4 pounds seedless red grapes
• 1 package yogurt
• 1 container sour cream
• ½ cup white sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 ounces chopped pecans
• 2 tbsp brown sugar.
Wash and dry the grapes. In a large bowl, mix together the yogurt, sour cream, sugar and vanilla. Add grapes and mix until evenly incorporated. Sprinkle with brown sugar and pecans, mix again and refrigerate until serving.