Pomegranate is known in Hindi as Anaar, Telugu as Daanimma, Tamil as Madhulaipazham, and Bengali as Daalima. It is a popular addition to salads, smoothies, baked goods, and juices since it belongs to the deciduous shrub type of flora.
[Do you know? The botanical name of Pomegranate is Punica granatum]
Pomegranates are grown in a variety of places across the world, including the Mediterranean, tropical Africa, the Middle East, and South and Central Asian nations including India, Nepal, and China. Pomegranates grow best in India throughout the monsoon and winter seasons, from September to February.
[Do you know? Pineapple has less sugar and more calcium than Pomegranate.]
The pomegranate is a shrub with numerous spiky branches that grow from a medium to large height. The leaves are glossy and slender, and the blossoms are vivid red. The fruit, on the other hand, is the edible section, which is made up of two unique parts: an exterior tough pericarp surrounding an interior soft mesocarp that contains the juicy arils that cover the seeds. The pomegranate's skin and arils have a rich crimson color, with the arils secreting the juice. A large number of seeds can be found in a single fruit.
Pomegranate fruits are high in Vitamin C, dietary fiber, folate, and potassium, and are appreciated for their potential to aid weight reduction, reduce inflammation, and fight prostate and breast cancer. They're also high in antioxidants like punicalagin and punicic acid, which help to keep harmful free radicals from oxidizing beneficial cells in the body.
[Kiwi fruits is high in Anti-oxidants]
These "pearl-like" little red arils are undoubtedly loaded with a plethora of benefits for improving physical and mental health. However, it is debatable if pomegranate is beneficial to diabetics.
The advantages of pomegranate for diabetes are numerous. It contains antioxidants with anti-inflammatory qualities that help to alleviate the symptoms of high blood sugar, such as weariness and muscular soreness. This fruit has a low glycemic index and glycaemic load, making it beneficial to persons who have high blood sugar levels. It also aids in the reduction of insulin resistance in the body. The phenolic components in this fruit help with weight loss and appetite regulation.
According to a study published in the Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences Punicic acid, the major ingredient of pomegranate seed oil has been found to lower plasma glucose and have antioxidant properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how pomegranate seed oil affected rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
But another research concludes that Pomegranate supplementation has no significant beneficial impact on metabolic markers in T2DM patients. In this discipline, further well-designed, large-scale RCTs with extended durations are required. This article can be read in the National Library of Medicine
But still, after much research and studies, pomegranate is said to be a beneficial fruit for patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
Diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas is unable to release enough insulin, causing the insulin processing to malfunction. This causes unmanageable amounts of glucose or sugars in the bloodstream, which impairs the affected person's energy metabolism and renal function.
Chronic inflammation is a significant factor in a variety of serious illnesses, including type 2 diabetes. Pomegranates include the punicalagin class of flavonoid antioxidants, which have potent anti-inflammatory properties, easing the excruciating symptoms of high blood sugar, such as muscle soreness and exhaustion.
Also read: Health Benefits of Almonds
Furthermore, taking one glass of pomegranate juice each day has been shown in several scientific studies to drastically lower harmful LDL cholesterol levels in diabetic individuals. This greatly reduces the risk of cardiac issues caused by high blood glucose levels, which are a symptom of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
The glycemic load of pomegranates is 18. Glycemic load (GL), like Glycemic Index (GI), determines the precise quantity of carbs in diets based on how they affect blood glucose levels. Pomegranate is a low glycemic index fruit (GI less than 55), which means it is slowly ingested and digested. Although it contains carbohydrates, it also contains phenolic chemicals that help in weight reduction as well as fibers that control hunger and appetite.
To assist control diabetic symptoms, it is recommended that you consume measured amounts of pomegranate fruits or juice once a day, in the mornings or at midday.
Pomegranate's Other Health Benefits:
The pleasantly sweet and fragrant pomegranate is not only an excellent garnish and flavoring for salads and pastries, but it also provides other health benefits. It is effective in reducing arthritic pain, lowering blood pressure, preventing heart disease, fighting bacterial and fungal infections, and improving cognition.
Also read: Bitter Gourd benefits for diabetes
As a result, diabetic patients should take pomegranate fruits and juice in moderation to avoid any negative side effects and to gain the advantages of the fruit for general health. Keep in mind that, depending on your blood sugar levels and the severity of your condition, you should see your doctor or a nutritionist on a regular basis to get advice on how to effectively include this wonderful fruit into your diabetic diet.
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