Is Jaggery Good for Diabetes Patients?

Jaggery is a concentrated mixture of dates, sugarcane juice, and the sap of date palm plants. Its color ranges from brown to golden and light to dark. 50 percent of its composition is made up of sucrose, about 20 percent is made up of inverted sugars and it contains 20 percent moisture.

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Although jaggery has many health benefits, it is not recommended for most diabetics. This is because jaggery contains more calories. Being a sweetener, it rapidly increases the sugar in the blood. The difference between jaggery and refined sugar is simply one of color. Jaggery also has the same amount of calories as sugar.

There is an index, known as the glycemic index, to measure how much glucose the body receives from a specific food item. Higher glucose means a higher glycemic index. Jaggery also has a very high glycemic index.

In a recent study, it was found that participants who consumed sugar and those who consumed jaggery had similar blood sugar levels. This proved that the effect of the consumption of jaggery and sugar on blood sugar is almost the same.

So, is jaggery good for diabetics? We can say that jaggery is not a safe option for diabetics. It works almost like refined white sugar. Both have similar components and they have a similar effect on blood sugar. Consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet regarding jaggery.

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Also, if you are a diabetic patient, make sure you follow these pointers -

• Include high-fiber food products in your diet.
• Choose brown rice instead of white rice.
• Include peas, and green vegetables in the diet.
• Consume as few processed grains as possible.
• Eat healthy proteins.
• Eat good fats.
• Avoid potatoes.
• Cut down on sugary drinks, sodas, and more such substances.
• Don't skip breakfast - have three healthy meals a day.
• Stick to calorie restrictions for a reasonable period.

Diabetes is a serious problem. Do consult a specialist in this and improve your diet and routine etc.

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It is not possible to get rid of diabetes from the root, but it can be controlled through diet. Most people believe that jaggery is safe for diabetic patients, but medical research and scientists say that jaggery should also be avoided in case of diabetes. There is no significant difference between refined sugar and jaggery. Therefore, diabetic patients shouldn't eat jaggery, and if you want to eat even a little jaggery, then you must consult a doctor.

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