Benefits. These properties make it extremely beneficial for the bodyâs digestion. Perhaps someone even told you that watermelon and bananas are off limits because they are too sweet. Your body produces insulin, but the cells in your body are resistant to the insulin effects. This is a severe misconception, and on the contrary, watermelon is good for health and has several health benefits even for a diabetic patient. Watermelon is perfect as is, but it’s also very versatile. It improves the blood pressure, which is something that bothers 2 out of 3 diabetic patients. As with any food that contains carbohydrate, if you overdo the portion, thereâs a very good chance it will impact your blood sugar, causing it to rise. ⦠All content updated as of 2018. Watermelon â the disease fighter. Glycaemic index is the food classification according to how quickly a particular carbohydrate raises the⦠There isnât any research directly connecting watermelon consumption and diabetes management. But if you consume a small portion, like a cup of diced watermelon, then the effect on blood sugar is small. While it might not seem like it, due to it being so juicy and refreshing (watermelon is 92% water), there is actually a lot of valuable nutrition in this tasty whole fruit. Get the latest diabetes news and a free gift! Watermelon is good for diabetes management and should form part of a diabetes diet. The latest delivered straight to your inbox. It also supports eye ⦠A diabetes person needs low glycemic loaded food. Watermelon can be a nutritious fruit choice for diabetics, as long as you take the carbohydrates it contains into consideration when planning meals. Watermelon And Diabetes. It's a common myth that if you have diabetes you shouldn't eat certain foods because they're "too sweet." Consult appropriate health-care professionals before taking action based on this information. Insulin resistance and hyperglycemia are characteristic of this metabolic disorder known as type 2 diabetes. Summer is the best time to find the freshest locally grown watermelon in the United States. With only five grams â a bit more than a teaspoon â of sugar per cup, and lots of ⦠20 Best Fruits That Are Good For Diabetics and Its Benefits Watermelon and other fruits can raise blood sugar levels; so eating large quantities may be unsafe for some people with diabetes. China now grows the overwhelming majority of watermelon(more than 70% of total, While it might not seem like it, due to it being so juicy and refreshing (watermelon is 92% water), there is actually a lot of valuable nutrition in this tasty whole fruit. As far as whether watermelon is safe for diabetics and those at risk of diabetes to eat, it has a high glycemic index of 72, but being 92% water, watermelon has a very low glycemic load of 5 based on a typical serving size of 120 grams. Specifically, the National Watermelon Board states that watermelon contains vitamins A, B6 and C, to help maintain vision, your immune systems, red blood cells and prevent early aging. Watermelon provides you with a number of essential nutrients, including vitamins A and C, but eating watermelon can cause an increase in your blood sugar levels, so diabetics need to take care. Diabetes treatment of watermelon seeds! Around 400 B.C.E., watermelons made their way across the Mediterranean sea to southern Europe, where it spread to several different regions, and by the turn of the millennium (at the latest 300 C.E. As far as whether watermelon is safe for diabetics and those at risk of diabetes to eat, it has a high glycemic index of 72, but being 92% water, watermelon has a very low glycemic load of 5 based on a typical serving size of 120 grams. Watermelon has some natural ingredients, which are proved to be helpful to diabetics. You may have heard at some point that you cannot eat fruit if you have diabetes. Want to learn more about fruits and health? Due to COVID-19, I am homebound, unable to attend my usual fitness classes. As per studies, the extract from watermelon can bring down the blood pressure of people suffering from hypertension. Raspberries. Glycemic Load: 5 = Low, History and modern cultivation of watermelon: http://agsyst.wsu.edu/Watermelon.html, For more information on the history of watermelon: https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/08/150821-watermelon-fruit-history-agriculture/, The nutritional profile of watermelon: http://foodstruct.com/food/watermelon, Some research has shown watermelon extract to be a natural treatment for erectile dysfunction: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271073831_Effect_of_Watermelon_Citrullus_lanatus_Flesh_Extract_on_Sexual_Behavior_of_Male_Rats, A study on watermelon and lycopene and potential health benefits: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4464475/. Watermelons are now a very popular crop from North to South America, and globally more than 1,000 different varieties are cultivated, with a great range in size, weight and flavor. Several people think that watermelon is bad for diabetes, and only adds to the problems. If people with diabetes still want to eat this fruit, consuming it must be accompanied by foods rich in healthy fats, fiber, and protein like benefits of red rice. While it is nutritious, large quantities can increase the levels of blood sugar. The reason has to do with the difference between glycemic index and its glycemic load. "Erythritol is found naturally in fruits like grapes, peaches, pears and watermelon. , such as anti-cancer properties and lowering risk of heart disease. People with diabetes can consume 150-200 gm watermelon at one time. Vitamin A is great for your eyes and helps maintain the health of your ⦠Be sure to eat the whole fresh fruit, as juices or canned fruits may have added sugars which can be harmful for diabetes. Lycopene is an antioxidant linked to decreased risk of cancer, heart disease and age-related eye disorders. Donât stick to watermelon alone. Read “Fruit Nutrition Facts.”, Amy Campbell, MS, RD, LDN, CDCES on social media, A Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator at Good Measures, LLC, where she is a CDE manager for a virtual diabetes program. Diabetic people usually self manage their blood glucose levels by monitoring their own carbohydrate intake, for example, by counting the grams of carbohydrate in a particular fruit. That said, thereâs some evidence to suggest ⦠Watermelon is nutritious. Knowledge is power, and action taken from that knowledge produces results. Watermelon, Citrullus lanatus,  is a refreshing and delicious fruit with a fascinating history and healthful nutritional profile. You might have heard that you canât eat fruit if you have diabetes. The word insulin is automatically associated with diabetes. Watermelon is the perfect sweet treat that is ⦠In addition to whole foods, erythritol is commercially produced for use in baked goods, beverages, candies, chewing gums, chocolates and tabletop sweetener packets." The watermelon seed can save you! As this food has high glycemic index but for 92% content of water its glycemic load become low at 5. Itâs also found in mushrooms and fermented foods like beer, cheese, sake, soy sauce and wine. is likely the descendant of another African melon, the citron melon, which is endemic to Southern Africa. Originally cultivated in Northern Africa several thousand years ago, and, depicted on the walls of the pharaohs tombs of Ancient Egypt, watermelon. High vitamin A content helps maintain your cellsâ health and is good for the eyes. Other Benefits of Watermelon Insulin Resistance. Basically, watermelon contains natural sugars that can raise blood sugar. Diabetes Self-Management offers up-to-date, practical “how-to” information on nutrition, exercise, new drugs, medical advances, self-help, and the many other topics people need to know about to stay healthy. Watermelon is a good fruit choice for people with diabetes, but many people mistakenly think that it is not. Watermelon is good for diabetics and can be part of the diabetes diet, according to the Diet Health Club. Some fruits do contain more sugar than others, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't eat them if you have diabetes. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. You canât spell watermelon without water, and the health benefits donât stop at the juicy hydration. Watermelon is as happy as it is healthy. One phytonutrient antioxidant compound particularly abundant in watermelon is lycopene, which has been linked in research to several health benefits, such as anti-cancer properties and lowering risk of heart disease. Originally cultivated in Northern Africa several thousand years ago, and depicted on the walls of the pharaohs tombs of Ancient Egypt, watermelon is likely the descendant of another African melon, the citron melon, which is endemic to Southern Africa. You can enjoy fruit, you simply need to make smart decisions about which fruits and how much you eat. Vitamin A helps preserve function in the heart, kidneys, and lungs. Watermelon is low ⦠That should put you in best charge of your diabetes diet. Vitamin C helps the body to fight infections and is a potent antioxidant. Fruit has carbohydrates and a form of natural sugar called fructose, which can raise your blood sugar levels. Are you stumped about what to eat for lunch? Add it to your morning smoothie, or to salads or even homemade salsa. It’s time to move from boring ol’ sandwiches to scrumptious lower-carb lunches that will keep you satisfied and perk up your day! Lastly, diabetics should steer clear of high glycemic foods like watermelon because they make blood sugar control more difficult. Blood Sugar Chart: What’s the Normal Range for Blood Sugar? Strike the Spike II: How to Manage High Blood Glucose After Meals, COVID-19 and Diabetes: What You Need to Know About the Coronavirus, Best Diets for Diabetes and Obesity: ADA International Panel Recommendations. Watermelon is not the only fruit that is good for diabetes if eaten in moderation. Watermelon and diabetes You might be feeling a little skeptical about watermelon, despite its health benefits. There are vitamins and minerals, antioxidants and amino acids. Instead, also consider grapefruit which has a GI of 25 and â¦