Can People with Diabetes Eat Jaggery?

Jaggery is a traditional sweetener used in Asian and African countries. It is the perfect alternative to sugar. Dieticians suggest using jaggery in desserts instead of sugar. But is jaggery good for people with diabetes?

Jaggery is unrefined and has several nutrients compared with refined sugar. However, our topic of concern today is if jaggery is good for diabetes and non-diabetes as well as discuss the benefits it offers for non-diabetes people.

Diabetes is a state that causes blood sugar levels to rise. There are two types of diabetes, namely type 1 and type 2. It is vital to take a proper diet for diabetes because it can cause serious health complications such as kidney issues and heart disease.

People with diabetes have to maintain their sugar levels. Therefore, they are recommended to avoid food that contains a lot of added sugar.

If you want to know the answer, can people with diabetes eat jaggery or what causes blood sugar to rise in non-diabetes, this article is for you. Keep reading for a better understanding.

What causes blood sugar to rise in non-diabetes?

The major reason for high blood sugar levels in people who do not have diabetes is an unhealthy lifestyle. It is essential to manage the blood-sugar level even if the person is not diagnosed with diabetes because a high blood sugar level can increase the risk of infection in organs.

Causes of rising blood sugar in non-diabetes:

• Stress: Stress is also a significant cause of a spike in the level of the hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones increase the blood sugar level in the human body.
• Obesity: An excessive amount of body fat is referred to as obesity. It is caused by eating a lot and not doing any exercise. This condition can make the body resistant to insulin, leading to rising blood sugar levels.
• No physical activity: For maintaining a healthy body, it is vital to do some physical activity. Avoiding any physical activity can result in increased blood sugar levels. That’s why it is recommended to do some physical activity; even taking a small morning and evening walk is beneficial.
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome: It is a hormonal imbalance condition that is found in women of reproductive age. This condition can cause excessive production of insulin and testosterone in women. This excessive insulin causes insulin resistance, which results in rising blood-sugar levels.
• Severe infections: If you suffer from any kind of severe infection, it will stress your body and increase the production of cortisol. Cortisol can create insulin resistance, resulting in high blood sugar levels.

What causes blood sugar to rise in non-diabetes is thus often one or more of the factors mentioned above. That is why, it is imperative to take care of your health to stay away from diabetes and lead a healthy life.

Are natural sweeteners safe for diabetes?

Jaggery is a popular natural sweetener and a healthier alternative to processed sugar. It has fewer chemicals and preservatives and can be recommended to people with diabetes.

Nutritional value of jaggery:

10 grams of jaggery contains:

Jaggery contains sugar, but it is better than white sugar, which elevates the blood glucose level. It comes with a lower glucose content, and it is less risky than white sugars. So if next time someone asks if jaggery is good for diabetes, the answer is no, but it is a natural sweetener that is far better than any artificial sweetener.

Jaggery has a high glycemic index of 84.4 which can spike the blood sugar levels of an individual with diabetes. So, if a person with diabetes consumes jaggery, they make sure to eat it in a limited manner.

Is jaggery better than sugar?

Jaggery is an unrefined natural sweetener that has more vitamins, minerals and less sucrose content than sugar. It is a type of sugar; therefore, overconsumption can be harmful.

Jaggery contains 70% of sucrose, and white sugar contains 99.7% of sucrose, which means a person with diabetes can consume jaggery in place of sugar. Consuming jaggery is better than consuming white sugar, but it is advised to consume it in moderation.

Using jaggery in place of white sugar will add a few extra nutrients to the diet. It is advised to get vitamins and minerals from other calorific sources rather than consuming too much jaggery.

Health benefits of jaggery

Jaggery is not just a sweetener, but it offers a lot of health benefits, such as

• Aid in weight loss
• Good source of energy
• Helps in removing the toxins
• Supports good digestion
• Helps in maintaining the blood pressure
• Lowers water retention in the body
• Prevents bile disorders
• Relieves the feeling of fatigue
• An excellent source of nutrients, vitamins and minerals

Takeaway

Consuming natural sweeteners rather than artificial sweeteners is a healthy choice. If you do not have diabetes, you can use jaggery instead of refined sugar. However, if you have diabetes, you should limit your sugar consumption in any form.