Coconut water has been growing in popularity in recent years, particularly as an alternative to more sugary sports drinks that are loaded with harmful additives and artificial sweeteners.
Coconut water can have both benefits and negative effects on diabetes patients, so it’s important to understand these differences before deciding whether coconut water is the right drink for you.
Here are eight benefits of coconut for diabetes patients, along with some potential drawbacks as well.
1. Coconuts have Low GI
Coconuts have low GI (or glycemic index), which means that they don’t spike blood sugar levels. The fats found in coconuts are also very important in regulating insulin levels and maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.
Fat content is an important factor in managing diabetes, as the body needs a certain amount of fat to function properly.
Coconuts also provide a lot of essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber to keep you feeling full and satisfied throughout the day.
This is especially helpful if you have diabetes, because it’s difficult to control your hunger when you’re hungry!
2. Coconuts Repair Your Gut Function
Coconut oil is a good substitute for butter when cooking. The anti-inflammatory fatty acids in coconut oil can help reduce pain and inflammation in those who have diabetes. Coconut water, the liquid from inside the coconut, has been studied extensively as an electrolyte drink.
Diabetics should be careful to monitor their intake because it contains sugar, but some report it helps them maintain stable blood sugar levels. Studies show that coconuts contain antioxidants that fight against the effects of chronic disease.
A new study found that diabetic mice given virgin coconut oil had lower blood glucose and cholesterol levels than control mice over 28 days.
Virgin coconut oil is made from fresh mature coconuts harvested before their fibers are fully developed, while copra is dried at higher temperatures to remove moisture and make drying easier.
Virgin coconut oil tastes better than other oils due to its high smoke point which means it can be used in cooking without destroying the oils’ beneficial properties or being ruined by oxidation.
3. Coconuts Have Many Nutrients
Coconut is a highly nutritious food that has been shown to have many benefits. The following are just some of the benefits coconuts have for those who have diabetes:
Coconuts have a low glycemic index which may help reduce blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
Coconuts are high in fiber which can help regulate blood sugar levels and increase feelings of fullness.
Coconut milk, oil, and fresh fruit can be added to your diet to provide you with a boost of energy without spiking blood sugar levels.
Coconuts contain healthy fats that may improve cholesterol levels and decrease inflammation, both helpful in preventing heart disease and stroke risk in those living with diabetes.
4. Coconuts Help With Heart Diseases
Coconut oil is the most saturated plant-based fat. It is high in medium-chain triglycerides, which are easily digested and converted into energy in the body. This makes coconut oil a great choice for patients who are on restricted diets, including those who have diabetes.
Coconut oil has also been shown to help reduce insulin resistance, a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. The lauric acid found in coconut oil has been shown to increase good cholesterol (HDL) while decreasing bad cholesterol (LDL).
This helps reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke while promoting weight loss and improved blood sugar regulation in people with diabetes.
5. Coconut Oil Helps to Lose Weight and Balance Blood Sugar
Coconut oil can help you lose weight, and this can be helpful for people who are trying to manage their blood sugar levels. Coconut oil has been shown to increase metabolic rate or the speed at which your body burns calories.
It also helps balance blood sugar levels. This is because coconut oil contains healthy fats that help keep your insulin and blood sugar levels in check. One study found that a diet rich in monounsaturated fat led to more weight loss than a low-fat diet containing the same number of calories.
If you’re looking for other oils to incorporate into your diet, olive oil might be better than most. Olive oil is higher in polyunsaturated fat and lowers in saturated fat than other oils like sunflower or corn oil.
6. Coconut Helps Fight Type 2 Diabetes
Coconut is a rich source of dietary fiber, which helps keep blood sugar levels stable. One study found that a 1/2 cup serving of coconut contains about 3 grams of fiber, which is about 6% percent of the daily value for fiber.
Fiber also helps to regulate bowel movements and reduce constipation and bloating associated with diabetes.
Coconut can help lower your cholesterol. Coconut has been shown to have beneficial effects on total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, as well as triglycerides levels (a type of fat found in the blood).
It’s not just coconut oil that has these benefits; studies suggest that virgin coconut water may also help improve lipid profiles.
7. Coconuts have Antioxidant Properties for Better Health
Coconut is a natural source of fiber, protein, and healthy fats. By eating coconut, you can help prevent diabetes-related illnesses by lowering your risk factors like high cholesterol and high blood sugar. Coconut oil helps regulate the body’s metabolism, which in turn helps keep your insulin levels steady.
It also helps clean out the intestines and prevents constipation. The medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil are more readily used as fuel by the body than long-chain fatty acids found in other foods.
This means that it doesn’t take as many calories to make up the difference between what we eat and what we need to maintain our weight–which is good news for anyone who wants to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.
8. Best Time of Year to Eat Coconuts
Coconut is a delicious and healthy way to reduce your risk of diabetes. One cup of coconut water contains only 40 calories and is an excellent source of potassium, vitamin C, and other antioxidants.
Coconuts are grown in tropical climates which mean they’re a great choice when the weather warms up.
Remember this the BEST TIME OF THE YEAR TO EAT COCONUT IS SPRING! They are harvested during this time because the water inside of them has more minerals than at any other time of year.
Be sure to add these eight benefits of coconut into your diet if you have diabetes.