Although no cure exists for diabetes, there are ways to ward off conditions and diseases associated with diabetes. Nutrients from vegetables and fruits can help preserve your health. Certain vegetable and fruit juices, like tomato, cranberry, and blueberry juices, can also be beneficial. These healing juices are instrumental in promoting overall health.
Vegetable juice is an easy way to receive vital nutrients without being detrimental to your diabetes. Since vegetable juices are low in sugar and carbohydrates, having a glass won't dramatically affect your blood glucose levels. Vegetable juices also contain more fiber than fruit juices. Fiber's ability to slow down glucose absorption is helpful for diabetics having difficulty managing their levels.
Tomato juice is one of the most popular and beneficial healing juices because it's a great source of lycopene. If your eye sight is worsening, you may be suffering from diabetic retinopathy. Over time, high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels near the retina. This can cause blindness. Since having diabetes for a long period of time is a risk factor, seniors are more likely to suffer from diabetic retinopathy. Taking preventative steps, like consuming foods rich in lycopene, is critical. Lycopene helps combat poor eyesight by reducing oxidative stress. This can prevent cells near the eye from being damaged.
Tomato juice is readily available in grocery stores. However, most brands contain an unhealthy amount of sodium. Since sodium-rich foods exacerbate high blood pressure, a condition that affects most diabetics, it is important to only purchase brands that are low in sodium. Look for tomato juices containing other vegetables like spinach, celery, and carrots. These varieties provide additional nutrients and taste similar to regular tomato juice.
Although fruit juices are higher in sugar and carbohydrates than vegetables juices, they are still valuable in moderation. Cranberry and blueberry juices are excellent healing juices because they contain powerful antioxidants like resveratrol. This antioxidant is especially important for diabetics because studies suggest it can improve insulin resistance, making it easier to control your blood glucose levels. These juices can also help lower artery-clogging LDL cholesterol levels, reducing your risk for cardiovascular disease.
Similar to some tomato juice brands, cranberry and blueberry juice cocktails have harmful effects. Since cranberry and blueberry juices are tart, choose a brand with artificial sweeteners instead. These won't have an effect on your blood sugar, but consuming too many beverage with artificial sweeteners can cause bloating or diarrhea. Juices with artificial sweeteners are an acceptable alternative; however, 100% juices are the most nutritious because they don't contain added or artificial sugars.
Processed juices have more of an effect on your blood sugar than raw vegetables and fruits. ½ a glass of juice is equivalent to 1 serving of a raw vegetable or fruit. For this reason, you should limit your healing juices intake.
For diabetics, eating raw vegetables and fruits is the easiest and safest way to receive nutrients. Healing juices, when consumed in moderation, can also provide you with vitamins and minerals needed to treat and prevent diabetes complications. Talk to your doctor about the effects healing juices may have on your glucose levels. Your physician can provide you with additional information and guidelines when it comes to juices.