Diabetes not only affects the quality of life of patients but may also lead to various complications, so controlling blood sugar is crucial. In addition to medication, dietary management is also an important means of controlling blood sugar.
Pumpkin, as a common vegetable, has attracted attention due to its rich nutrients and potential blood sugar-lowering effects. But is pumpkin really as miraculous as the rumors suggest? We need scientific data to reveal the truth.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease characterized mainly by continuous elevation of blood sugar levels. This is due to insufficient insulin secretion or insulin resistance, leading to the body’s ineffective use of blood sugar and causing a series of health problems.
The long-term presence of high blood sugar in diabetes leads to chronic damage and dysfunction of various tissues, especially the eyes, kidneys, heart, blood vessels, and nerves.
The typical symptoms of diabetes include polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, and emaciation, known as the “three polys and one thin.” However, not all diabetes patients will experience these symptoms; some patients may only show symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, or obesity.
Warning signs of diabetes, here are 4 “signals,” the earlier you know, the better
1. Skin prone to infections
As blood sugar rises significantly, the body may react unusually; many people with high blood sugar may experience skin sensitivity, leading to skin infections and weakened resistance, most likely due to high blood sugar.
During significant blood sugar elevation, the high sugar content in the blood can stimulate the nerves and mucous membranes of the skin, reducing skin resistance, making infections more likely to occur. Sometimes, the skin may develop ulcers, wounds, or become noticeably itchy. These special skin changes all indicate diabetes development.
2. Generalized edema
The kidneys of diabetes patients often experience lesions. As we all know, the kidneys are responsible for the body’s fluid balance. Once there are kidney lesions, the body’s fluid metabolism can be disrupted, leading to edema issues.
Patients often experience edema, most commonly in the eyelids and lower limbs. If kidney lesions are severe, it may also result in high blood pressure.
3. Numbness in limbs
If you experience numbness in your limbs, it’s important to check your blood sugar levels promptly. Limb numbness is related to the development of diabetes; elevated blood sugar can affect nerves, vascular function, etc. If there is local vascular damage due to high blood sugar, normal circulation cannot be maintained, leading to local ischemia and hypoxia, which can result in numbness.
Additionally, prolonged high blood sugar without proper management can lead to localized neuropathy, resulting in numbness. Experiencing these adverse symptoms indicates high blood sugar levels, and blood sugar should be controlled immediately.
4. Weight loss
After developing diabetes, weight loss occurs mainly because patients have insufficient insulin secretion, making it difficult to fully utilize ingested glucose. To meet the body’s needs, the body ends up consuming internal proteins and fats, leading to significant weight loss and a very lean body.
Can eating pumpkin lower blood sugar?
(p>Pumpkin contains rich dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. For diabetic patients, consuming pumpkin in moderation does have certain benefits.
Firstly, the dietary fiber in pumpkin can slow down the digestion and absorption of food in the intestines, reducing the rate of postprandial blood sugar elevation.
Secondly, trace elements in pumpkin such as chromium and zinc participate in insulin synthesis and secretion, helping to improve insulin sensitivity. However, it’s important to note that while pumpkins are beneficial for diabetic patients, they cannot directly lower blood sugar and certainly not replace hypoglycemic medications.
Doctor: These 4 foods are the “blood sugar-lowering kings,” don’t be hesitant to eat them
1. Black fungus
Black fungus is a food rich in dietary fiber, and its polysaccharides can lower blood sugar. Polysaccharides from black fungus can stimulate insulin secretion, enhance insulin sensitivity, thereby reducing blood sugar. Additionally, black fungus contains antioxidants that help protect blood vessels and improve blood sugar control.
2. Bitter melon
Some claim that bitter melon can lower blood sugar due to its components bitter melon and polypeptide P. Bitter melon has shown certain hypoglycemic effects in animal experiments, but its effects in humans are not certain.
As for polypeptide P, it is present in minimal amounts, so relying solely on bitter melon to lower blood sugar is unrealistic. While bitter melon can aid in lowering blood sugar, it should not be solely relied upon. Soaking bitter melon in ice water or salt water for 20 minutes can reduce the bitterness!
3. Grapefruit
This fruit rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber, especially its naringin, is a potent natural antioxidant with the potential to improve insulin resistance, helping lower blood sugar. The natural components of grapefruit can also help slow down food digestion and absorption, stabilizing postprandial blood sugar levels.
4. Oats
Oats are a high-fiber food, containing a significant amount of beta-glucan, a soluble fiber that helps reduce the rate of postprandial blood sugar elevation by slowing gastric emptying and increasing satiety. Oats are also rich in B vitamins and minerals, supporting overall metabolic health.
Bookmark: 4 “treasures” for easily lowering blood sugar, 99% of people are unaware!
1. Control your diet
Many people experience blood sugar fluctuations in the summer, but stabilizing blood sugar through dietary adjustments can be quite effective.
A balanced nutritional diet provides the body with various nutrients it needs in a timely manner, promoting overall health. Avoiding foods high in sugar and fats can help stabilize blood sugar through these correct dietary methods.
2. Proper hydration
Inadequate water intake in summer can lead to dehydration, causing hyperosmolar coma and potentially leading to cerebral infarction or acute kidney failure. Therefore, diabetic patients should appropriately supplement fluids in the summer. Warm boiled water or mineral water is the best choice. Drink slowly in small sips, aiming for a daily water intake of over 2000 milliliters, avoiding carbonated or sugary beverages.
3. Monitor the condition
Summer brings significant blood sugar fluctuations, necessitating regular blood sugar monitoring to maintain postprandial blood sugar levels stable between 5.5 to 8.0 millimoles and fasting blood sugar levels between 4.4 to 6.0 millimoles. Additionally, blood lipids and blood pressure should be monitored regularly, seeking medical attention promptly if anomalies arise. Regular urine tests can also help detect ketosis acidosis and urinary tract infections in a timely manner.
4. Sustain appropriate exercise
People’s physical activity tends to decrease in the summer due to the heat, but choosing to exercise moderately in the evenings when temperatures are cooler is beneficial.
Engage in gentle exercises such as brisk walking, jogging, calisthenics, swimming, etc. For patients with high blood sugar, high blood lipids, or cardiovascular diseases, paying attention to the amount of exercise and monitoring heart rate is crucial, avoiding overexertion.
