Is Pineapple Good For People With Diabetes?

• Pineapple is a tasty tropical fruit loaded with essential nutrients and enzymes.
• Pineapple has a medium glycemic index and a low glycemic load.
• It has multiple health benefits like antioxidants, fibre, vitamins, etc. which make it good for diabetics.
• You can eat it daily in moderate quantities, even if you are diabetic.

Diabetes is a health condition which causes the blood sugar levels in your body to rise inexplicably. For a person suffering from diabetes, it is very important to follow a healthy diet and a proper workout schedule.People are often advised to stay away from sugary food items once they have been diagnosed with diabetes. They are even advised to avoid eating fruits like pineapple, given its high calorie and sugar content. But is this so? Is pineapple bad for diabetics? Let's understand.

The nutritional profile of a food item is the science of classifying or grading foods into ranks based on their nutritional composition. It helps to ascertain what nutrients the food provides and how can you benefit from it by including it in your daily meal plan.The nutritional profile of a 100 gm serving of pineapple is as follows:

Please note: % of Daily Values are based on a 2000-calorie diet. This may vary depending on an individual’s daily dietary intake.

Pineapple is a tropical fruit loaded with antioxidants, nutrients and other enzymes. Not only is it very tasty, but it is also very healthy. So, if you are wondering “Can diabetics eat pineapple?” or “Is pineapple good for diabetes?”, the answer is - Yes!Here are the health benefits of pineapple for diabetics:

Highly Nutritious

Pineapple is a nutritious tropical fruit loaded with essential nutrients, such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, copper, potassium, magnesium and iron. These vitamins play a very important role in boosting your immune health and for iron absorption in your body. Therefore, a controlled portion of pineapple may prove to be highly beneficial for a diabetic.

Rich in Antioxidants

Pineapples contain antioxidants, which help your body fight oxidative stress, which are known to cause damage to cells. Pineapples are rich in flavonoids and phenolic compounds, which are believed to have a positive impact on diabetic patients.

Aids Digestive Health

Pineapples contain bromelain and are a good source of fibre. Bromelain breaks down protein molecules making it easier for your small intestine to digest and fibre boosts digestive health. Proper digestion is essential to keep diabetes in check; hence consuming pineapple is a good option for a diabetic.

Boosts Immunity and Reduces Stress

The nutrients and enzymes found in pineapple act as immunity boosters and also help reduce stress. Stress elevates your sugar level, and causes health issues. Hence, it is advisable to consume pineapple if you are suffering from diabetes. Also Read - Find out how diabetics can manage their blood sugar levels

The glycemic index (GI) of a food is a measure to rank carbohydrate-rich foods based on their speed of digestion. Simply put, it helps us analyse how quickly or slowly the food will be digested and what effect it will have on our blood sugar levels over a certain period (usually, within 2 hours).GI has a direct impact on one’s sugar level. The higher the GI, the more your sugar will rise and vice-versa. The glycemic index of a fresh pineapple usually ranges from 51 to 66, which is a moderate GI value.The glycemic index of canned pineapple ranges from 66-94, due to added sugars which are considered to be a high GI value and should be avoided.

Here's what you should know about glycemic load:

• Glycemic load considers the serving size and the amount of carbohydrates present in pineapple.
• Glycemic load is calculated using the following formula -

• A serving of 165 grams of pineapple has about 13 grams of carbohydrates and a GI of 51-66. Hence, the Glycemic Load of pineapple will be calculated as follows -

• A 7.6 glycemic load is considered to be healthy and can be considered as a part of your diet.

However, it is very important to keep your portions in check and balance your diet by eating food with a low glycemic load to counter the effect of pineapple on your blood sugar level. Also Read - Find out the health benefits of sugarcane juice

Even though pineapple is considered to be a healthy choice for a diabetic, certain things must be carefully considered by you, before making it an active part of your daily diet. These are as follows:

High Sugar Content

Pineapple is high in sugar, which can spike up your sugar levels. Hence, it is advised to eat mindfully if you have diabetes or are insulin-resistant.

Rich in Calories

One cup of pineapple contains about 82 grams of calories. Hence eat in moderation as a part of your diet.

Can Cause Allergic Reactions

Some people may experience itching, hives or swelling after eating pineapple. In some cases, it may even be life-threatening. So it is better to get an allergy test before adding it to your daily meal plan.

Causes Acidity

Pineapple is an acidic fruit and can cause heartburn or acid reflux and increase digestive issues in some diabetic patients.

Loaded with nutrients and enzymes, bearing a moderate glycemic index with a high glycemic load and extremely high in sugar and calorie content, pineapple is a good choice for a diabetic person. When eaten in moderation, pineapple can benefit you in more than one way. It can keep your taste buds satiated, reduce stress and boost your immunity with just one serving.However, it is also very rich in calories and can spike up your sugar level beyond control. So, it is very important to eat it mindfully and incorporate other fruits with low GI to maintain a balance in the blood sugar levels in your body. Also, consult a nutritionist to understand the right way to consume pineapple.It is also recommended to buy a health insurance plan to cover unforeseen medical complications or injuries. The plan will cover your medical bills and provide financial relief. Also Read: Myth Busted – Is Jaggery Good For Diabetes?