Learn How Kiwi Affect Your Blood Sugar Levels

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that kills 3. 4 Million People in 2004 according to the World Health Organization. It is characterized with high blood sugar level because pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the cell is resistant to the insulin. 


Added by the WHO, this will be the 7th leading cause death this 2013. Because of this alarming rate of death that increase every year, they recommend population-wide approaches to promote healthy diet and regular physical activity, thereby reducing the growing global problem of overweight and obesity.

A Healthy Diet

A healthy diet means fewer foods that contain a lot of sugar fats, cholesterol, and carbohydrates. Furthermore, people need to take precautions when taking medication.

On top of that, they have to regulate their blood sugar and weight, which can prove quite problematic.

A nutritionist called Mrs. Kamna Desai stated that people with diabetes could eat fruits if they limit how much they take.

According to research, kiwi is one of those fruits.

For this moment, let’s talk about the Kiwi fruit. Studies have showed that Kiwi can be consumed by patients having type 1 and 2 diabetes.

– Due to its fiber and fructose found in Kiwi fruits, the glycemic index is extremely low (53). This mean that eating this fruit will not increase blood sugar level significantly.

– It contains Inositol necessary for controlling blood sugar levels in diabetics. It enhances the sensitivity of insulin in the human body which can lead to higher absorption of glucose into the cell that lessens the sugar in the blood stream.

– Kiwi fruit is low in fat that aid in gaining weight. The weight of type 2 patients need to be regulated so that their diabetes will also controlled.

– It has the ability of protecting DNA from oxygen related damage because Kiwi is high in phytonutrients. Though researchers are not yet certain which specific compounds that give a protective antioxidant capacity, they are convinced that with the help of these varieties of flavonoids and carotenoids act as antioxidant, these phytonutrients in kiwi may be responsible for this DNA protection.

– Vitamin C and A is present that promotes faster healing process and good eyesight.

– Besides it will help lower the risk of cardiovascular disease because it reduces the fats and diminishes the risk of blood clot;

– Rich in polyphenols, and potassium, which may function individually to protect the blood vessels and heart.

Nutritional Facts:

See the table below for in depth analysis of nutrients:

Kiwi fruit or Chinese gooseberry (Actinidia chinensis),

Fresh, Nutrient value per 100 g.

(Source: USDA National Nutrient data base)

Principle
Nutrient Value
Percentage of RDA

Energy 61 Kcal 3%
Carbohydrates 14.66 g 11%
Protein 1 g 2%
Total Fat 0.52 g 2%
Cholesterol 0 mg 0%
Dietary Fiber 3 g 8%
Vitamins
Folates 25 µg 6%
Niacin 0.341 mg 2%
Riboflavin 0.025 mg 2%
Thiamin 0.027 mg 2%
Vitamin A 87 IU 3%
Vitamin C 92.7 mg 154%
Vitamin E 1.46 mg 10%
Vitamin K 40.3 µg 34%
Electrolytes
Sodium 3 mg 0%
Potassium 312 mg 7%
Minerals
Calcium 34 mg 3.5%
Copper 0.130 mg 14%
Iron 0.31 mg 4%
Magnesium 17 mg 4%
Manganese 0.098 mg 4%
Zinc 0.14 mg 1%
Phyto-nutrients
Carotene-ß 52 µg —
Crypto-xanthin-ß 0 µg —
Lutein-zeaxanthin 122 µg —