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Is Coconut Good for Diabetes: People who suffer from diabetes have to be very careful in their eating habits. Not doing this can result in high blood sugar level. High blood sugar level can cause many other physical problems. Many people avoid consuming raw coconut in diabetes. They do not know exactly whether coconut can be eaten in diabetes or not? Let us find out here whether raw coconut is beneficial or harmful for diabetic patients.
People usually buy raw coconut at home only at the time of puja. Many people like to eat it raw, while some people also prepare chutney and eat it. Especially in South Indian dishes, coconut chutney or dried coconut is used extensively. However, people who have diabetes avoid eating it, because they think that eating raw coconut in diabetes can increase the sugar level. Is it really so, let us know here…
Diabetic patients have no problem in including raw coconut in their diet, but it is important to keep the quantity in mind. This is because it contains less carbohydrates and the glycemic index is also low. In such a situation, it does not allow the blood sugar to increase. It also contains fiber and healthy fat content, which helps in managing blood sugar levels.
Many people think that diabetics should not eat raw coconut, but in reality this is just a misunderstanding. If eaten in right quantity, raw coconut does not cause any major problem. The low-GI and high-fibre properties of raw coconut prevent rapid and significant increases in blood sugar. You can consume about 2 to 3 tablespoons or 30 to 40 grams of fresh coconut daily.
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Fiber slows down digestion. Due to this, blood sugar does not increase suddenly after eating food and remains under control. The glycemic index of coconut is also low. This means that eating it does not have much effect on blood sugar levels, hence diabetes patients do not need to give up coconut completely.
Due to coconut being high in calories and saturated fat, excessive consumption of it can lead to weight gain, which can affect heart health and lead to heart disease. Along with fiber, beneficial nutrients like manganese, potassium and antioxidants are found in raw coconut. The fiber present in coconut makes the stomach feel full for a long time.
This reduces the desire to eat something again and again. It is beneficial for those who want to keep their weight under control and who have type 2 diabetes. The medium chain fats present in coconut are not stored in the body as fat, but are quickly converted into energy.
Coconut also contains minerals like iron. These help in running the essential functions of the body properly, hence coconut can be considered a healthy option compared to sweets and processed snacks containing high sugar. However, diabetic patients should eat only 30 to 40 grams i.e. 2-3 tablespoons daily.
It is good if you eat it by mixing it with vegetables, salad or food with low glycemic index. One should stay away from sugary coconut sweets and desserts available in the market. When you start eating raw coconut for the first time, definitely check your sugar level.
