Allah Almighty gives us different seasonal
fruit to protect different seasonal effects to humans.
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder where the body is unable to utilize the sugar
that has been absorbed from food. This causes the level of sugar in the blood to
rise, leading to much health related issues. For this reason, diabetics have to
manage their daily carbohydrate intake lest their blood sugar levels rise too
high. High blood sugar levels can cause damage to different parts of the body
like the heart and kidneys. In fact, the majority of deaths amongst diabetics
are due to cardiovascular diseases.
In order to manage their blood sugar levels, diabetics have to keep a close
watch on which foods they eat. Foods that have high carbohydrate content,
especially simple carbohydrates need to be avoided. The same remains true for
foods that have high sugar content and high saturated fat content.
As watermelon is a sweet fruit, many people mistakenly assume that it is bad for
diabetic patients. Watermelon is good for diabetes management and should form
part of a Diabetes diet.
Watermelon is rich in nutrients which benefit the body in many different ways.
High vitamin A content helps maintain your cells’ health and is good for the
eyes. Vitamin C helps the body to fight infections and is a potent antioxidant.
It is rich in vitamin B1 and B6 which help keep energy levels high. High
potassium & magnesium levels help blood circulation, regulate nerve impulses and
have a beneficial effect on blood pressure. It is fat free and cholesterol free,
both important factors in a diabetic diet. In fact, it delivers more nutrients
per calorie than most other fruits.
Lycopene is another nutrient found in large quantities in watermelon. This is
another potent antioxidant that protects against heart disease and other
circulatory disorders that diabetics are prone to. Antioxidants are molecules
that travel through the body and neutralize free radicals. Free radicals, which
are caused by oxidation, can cause tremendous damage to cells in the body. They
oxidize cholesterol, making it stick to the walls of the arteries thus causing
blockages. This can lead to heart attacks and strokes. In this manner, lycopene
can help protect the body from coronary heart disease. It has also been found to
be effective in protecting against many cancers like colon cancer, colorectal
cancer, breast cancer and lung cancer. Studies have found that in patients with
colorectal adenomas, a polyp that is a precursor to most colorectal cancers,
blood levels of lycopene were about 35% lower than in patients with no polyps.
Blood Sugar Levels & Insulin Resistance
Vitamin C and beta carotene, also present in abundance in watermelon, are also
very effective at neutralizing free radicals. Studies have shown that high
intake of vitamin C can help reduce the severity of asthma attacks as well as
reduce the inflammation caused in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Many
diabetics complain of feeling only half full after a meal. Watermelon is a good
addition to their diet. The high fiber and water content coupled with low sugar
content can keep them full without impacting their blood sugar levels. Arginine,
another nutrient found in watermelons is very effective in enhancing the effect
of insulin on sugar, thus reducing insulin resistance. It is also beneficial in
cases of erectile dysfunction, another health issue that many diabetics have to
cope with.
Kidney disorders are also common among diabetics. The high potassium content in
watermelon helps in washing off toxic compounds in the kidneys. It is also
helpful in reducing blood uric acid levels which can otherwise cause kidney
damage.
The high water content in watermelon also induces frequent urination which helps
the kidneys flush out toxins from the body. Most dieticians recommend a diet
plan for diabetics with at least 5 - 10 servings of fruits and vegetables every
day. The ratio of vegetables to fruit will depend on your personal taste, but it
is suggested that you have at least three servings of fruit every day. This may
sound like a lot each day, but watermelon can make this feasible. You can have
it in the form of a juice which will still deliver all the essential nutrients
to your body. For variety, a dash of honey and lime would just add to the taste.
It is a great way to beat the summer heat.