Is Pineapple Safe for People with Diabetes?

is Pineapple good for diabetes
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Pineapple is a fruit that is loaded with many important nutrients. But if you or a loved one has diabetes, is it safe to have pineapple? 

In this article, we will take a look at the various nutrients that pineapple has to offer, we will take a look at its health benefits, and especially take a look at whether it is safe for those who have diabetes to have pineapple or not.

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We will also understand the best form of having pineapple, whether raw or in juice format so that you can get the best out of this fruit. So read on.

Is Pineapple Good for Diabetes?

People with type 2 diabetes should be cautious in their consumption of pineapple, as it can lead to a spike in their blood sugar levels.

But if you speak to nutritionist or diabetes management team and check if you can eat a certain portion of pineapples every once in a while. 

While eating pineapple if you have diabetes, here are a few things you need to keep in mind:

  • What other foods you are having throughout the day and how it affects your total calorie and nutrient intake
  • The other fruits that you are eating on that day
  • The amount of pineapple that you have 
  • The type of diabetes that you have 
  • Keep in mind the combination of the plate method, counting carbs, and checking how much particular food scores on the GI score

Other health benefits of Pineapple

Pineapple has many health benefits that can bring about a host of positive influences on your overall health:

1. Loaded with antioxidants 

  • Pineapples contain a very high amount of antioxidants which will especially help your body to fight off any oxidative stress.
  • An excess of free radicals in the body can often lead to issues such as cell damage, a weak immune system, chronic inflammation, a higher chance of developing certain types of cancers, and so on.
  • Pineapples are abundant in flavonoids, another type of antioxidant as well as phenolic compounds. They are essential for heart health.   
  • The antioxidants that are found in pineapples have very long-lasting effects, especially as compared to other fruits.

2. An abundant source of nutrients

  • Pineapples contain a vast amount of nutrients such as proteins, vitamin C, vitamin B6, fiber, folate, iron, thiamine, copper, riboflavin, manganese, niacin, potassium, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, and so on.
  • In addition to the above, they also contain smaller amounts of calcium, zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin K.
  • Pineapple has a high amount of vitamin C which is especially helpful in boosting your immune health and also helps the body to better absorb the nutrients that you get from eating other foods. 
  • The presence of micronutrients such as vitamin B6, thiamine, and copper is also very important in boosting your overall metabolism.

3. May reduce the risk of cancer 

  • An excess amount of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation in the body could often be a precursor for cancer in some.
  • The compounds found in pineapple, such as bromelain, may reduce the amount of oxidative stress as well as help to reduce inflammation, thereby may reduce the risk of developing cancer. 

4. May be beneficial in reducing arthritis symptoms

  • Arthritis could be present in different forms, but the most common form of arthritis is inflammation in the joints.
  • Bromelain, which is found in a healthy amount in pineapples, has various anti-inflammatory properties that could provide relief from the kind of arthritis that involves inflammation of the joints.
  • Not only could it be helpful in preventing the onset of joint inflammation, but consuming pineapple could also help in minimizing the pain that occurs as a result of joint inflammation arthritis. 

5. High source of manganese

  • Pineapples contain a high amount of manganese.
  • Manganese is essential for your body as it helps to better metabolize the foods that you eat, is good for the health of your bones, and also helps your blood to clot in the right way.
  • A cup of pineapple juice has more than half of your daily requirement of manganese. 

Pineapple Nutritional Value per 100g

One cup of freshly cut pineapple or approximately a 100-gram of a serving of fresh pineapple will have about:

Nutritional Value per 100g
Protein 0.89 grams
Carbohydrate 22 grams
Calories 82 grams
Fiber 2.3 grams
Fat 0.20 grams 

Pineapple Benefits for Diabetes

There are various health benefits of eating pineapple for those who have diabetes.

1. Loaded with vitamin C

  • Pineapple is loaded with vitamin C.
  • Vitamin C is extremely helpful in boosting your overall immunity and health and can prevent you from often falling prey to colds and coughs.
  • Having vitamin C on a daily basis can also help in keeping your blood sugar levels within their required healthy range for the day and may help in preventing a spike in your blood sugar levels. 
  • Adequate amounts of vitamin C are also good for your overall heart health.

2. Loaded with antioxidants

  • Certain types of antioxidants can help to improve the levels of blood sugar in the body and prevent them from reaching a peak.
  • Antioxidants are also important to battle any oxidative stress as well as inflammation in the body.
  • Having foods that are rich in antioxidants may also help to reduce the risk of developing various diabetes complications.

3. Low on fat

  • Pineapple is low in fat content. This makes it especially good for managing your weight and keeping it under check.  
  • It is important to avoid excess weight gain or obesity for everyone, especially so for those who have diabetes. 
  • If you are trying to lose weight or are trying to manage your weight within a healthy range, the low fat in pineapple could be a good addition to the diabetes-healthy meal plan.

4. High in fiber content

  • While pineapple is low in its fat content and barely has any fat, it does have a very high amount of fiber.
  • Fiber is good for everyone and is especially good for those who have diabetes and who are looking to lose weight or manage it better.
  • Eating foods rich in fiber will help you feel full for longer, and this will help you avoid any mid-meal snacking or unnecessary binging on food.
  • Eating an adequate amount of fiber can also help in reducing and better managing your cholesterol levels, as well as improving and regulating your bowel movement, thereby reducing the risk of constipation, which is often quite common in those who have diabetes. 

Is Pineapple Good for Diabetes Type 2?

Pineapple is good for those who have diabetes type 2, but you need to make sure that you are having it in a moderate amount.

Your diabetes health care team and your nutritionist can help you understand how much quantity of pineapple is safe and healthy for you to consume in a day, along with the other foods that you will be eating on that day. 

GI of Pineapple

Pineapple usually stands on a glycaemic index score or GI scale of about 59, but some types of pineapples, depending on their origin, could be between 51 and 73 on the GI scale.

Also keep in mind that on average, about 86 percent of pineapple is made up of water, which can help to bring down its glycaemic load as an entire fruit.  

How Much Pineapple Can a Diabetes Patient Have?

If you have diabetes, it is usually considered safe to have about 100 grams of pineapples in a day, but as cautioned earlier, you should speak to your diabetes healthcare team and your nutritionist. 

They will help you to understand how much quantity of pineapple is safe and healthy for you to consume in a day, along with the other foods that you will be eating on that day.

At Fitterfly we map your PGR (personalized glycemic response) to check what foods are causing your blood sugar to spike and incorporate the best foods into your diet plan.

So, in conclusion, there is no correct answer to how much pineapple should people with diabetes eat. It varies from person to person. 

Before you start eating pineapple, do remember that some people have a strong allergy to pineapples. Some of the most common allergic reactions to pineapples could show up in the form of swelling, difficulty in breathing, pain in the stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, or hives.

If you have never tried eating pineapple before, start with a very small amount and see how it reacts with your body. If you notice any of the allergy symptoms or notice discomfort after eating pineapple, immediately stop and go to your nearest doctor. 

It is always a good idea to speak with diabetes healthcare team as well as your dietician or nutritionist to understand the amount of pineapple that is safe and healthy for you to consume.

Fittertake

Most people believe that people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have to give up certain foods, especially fruits like Pineapple. However, the truth is that if you map your PGR then you can keep eating your favorite foods.

You just need to know the right portion, time, and combination to eat them.

You can also, speak to one of our counselors, or If you are looking for a personalized diet plan to manage your blood sugar levels, just give us a missed call at 08069450746, and we will definitely get back to you.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Does Pineapple Increase Sugar Levels?

Pineapples may cause a small amount of spike in your blood sugar levels, hence it is considered important that you keep a watch on the amount of pineapple you have and do not consume too much too soon. Ideally, it is safe for those with diabetes to have about 100 grams of pineapple in a day.

Is pineapple juice good for type 2 diabetes?

When you have diabetes, it is best to avoid having pineapple juice.

Is pineapple ok for type 2 diabetes?

Yes, when eaten in moderation, pineapple has many health benefits that can help those who have diabetes type 2. 

Is raw Pineapple good for diabetes?

Yes, you can have raw pineapple when you have diabetes, but just make sure you do not have more than 100 grams in a day, and before you start having pineapples, please speak to your diabetes healthcare team and your nutritionist first. 

Is pineapple good for type 1 diabetes?

Yes, when eaten in moderation, pineapple has many health benefits that can help those who have diabetes type 1.

- By Fitterfly Health-Team
Anand Jain | 38 Years
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