Diabetes is a serious disease that must therefore be monitored continuously, especially within the diet. Those suffering from diabetes know well that they cannot indulge in greedy temptations, but there are also alternative solutions that allow you to indulge in some whims without fear of altering your glycemic values.
One of these is the sweetener for diabetics, just as good but certainly healthier.
So today we are dedicating ourselves to sugar which is also suitable for diabetics, analyzed in its most widespread forms, with particular attention to the ratio stevia and diabetes.
Because sugar is the enemy of diabetes
Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a chronic disease. It occurs when there is an exaggerated, above average, amount of glucose in the blood.
Why does diabetes come? Scientific research has associated the disease with a defect in the pancreas: it appears that it is unable to produce insulin in the correct amount. This particular hormone, in fact, monitors and regulates the level of sugar in the blood and if it does not work properly, dysfunctions are created that cause diabetes.
We know two forms of diabetes:
- the first form is called diabetes 1 and concerns the younger age groups. Generates fatigue, urination problems and visual difficulties. The causes are to be found in individual genetics but also in the environment. In the latter case, however, there must always be a genetic predisposition which, together with a triggering factor (such as an infection) determines the onset of diabetes;
- the second form is diabetes 2. Despite the production of insulin, the amount is not correct and the glucose in the blood is exaggerated. The symptoms are almost the same as the other form, with the addition of an evident slowness in the healing processes of the wounds. Here, however, the causes are completely different. In fact, it can depend on the person's weight and manifests itself more when one is obese or overweight.
In both cases, sugar becomes an enemy, because it dramatically increases the already exaggerated levels of blood sugar. The consequence is an overworked pancreas which then malfunctions and increases diabetes. This disease must be monitored not only for the symptoms it manifests, but also for its consequences. The greatest risk is to have an evident predisposition for heart disease, or for the onset of stroke, glaucoma, kidney disease, high blood pressure.
Sweeteners for diabetics: which ones to use?
To keep diabetes under control, specific sweeteners were born that are not harmful, do not make you fat and lower blood glucose levels, thus avoiding dangerous glycemic peaks.
Here are the most popular:
- stevia;
- allulose;
- erythritol;
Let's delve into these three excellent alternatives to sugar to understand how they work, how they differ from table sugar and why they help in the case of diabetes.
Stevia and diabetes, naturally healthy
Stevia is a sweetener that comes from the leaves of a plant called Stevia rebaudiana. It is not only a valid substitute for sugar due to its sweet taste, but also because it brings many benefits to the body.
Unlike sugar, it does not contain calories and it also seems capable of helping the person to lower blood glucose levels as it acts precisely on the glycemic balance. Therefore it goes well both in latte and in any culinary preparation, from sweet to savoury, without limitations. So it's ideal for diabetics who don't want to give up taste on the table.
It has no contraindications, even if excessive consumption is not recommended by doctors.
Allulose, the low-calorie sweetener for diabetics
As a sweetener it is certainly the most recent discovery. Yet, although it is still little known in the West, the evident beneficial effects for diabetics have already made it spread in many countries. Yes, because allulose is a type of monosaccharide sugar, different from common fructose in the way it acts on our body. It is not metabolized like normal fructose and therefore does not register the intake of calories, expelled before being absorbed.
This peculiarity makes it an important choice for those who have weight-related problems and want to keep their daily caloric intake under control, but also for diabetics, because it tends to lower blood sugar and decreases the risk of developing or worsening diabetes , especially in its type 2 form.
Erythritol
Another type of sweetener for diabetics we want to tell you about is erythritol, a sweetener widely used by these categories of people, because it contains a glycemic index and an insulin index almost equal to 0. What does this mean in simple terms? Practically given its values it has no influence on the insulin hormone.
It also has a strength that distinguishes it from other types of sweeteners, such as stevia: it doesn't have a bitter aftertaste but is naturally sweet at the right point. Furthermore, it is also recommended by dentists because it does not facilitate the formation of cavities.
Since the assimilation in the body is very minimal, as it is expelled almost in its entirety, it is excellent for diabetics who can take it without fear of worsening their condition.
Sweetener for diabetics: why not abuse it
We told you about sugar for diabetics, but the one that does not negatively affect diabetes. Now you know how to choose and you know their basic characteristics, yet we want to conclude with another piece of advice: do not exceed the daily doses.
In fact, if on the one hand they are the alternative to sweeten foods and drinks even if you suffer from diabetes, on the other it must be considered that they are always sweeteners and abuse can still harm other parts of the body.
The most common effects related to excessive consumption are stomach problems and laxative effects. In some cases even dental problems.
In principle, however, these data should be reported to those who exceed every day, but in common use which can be that teaspoon in coffee or milk, it doesn't hurt at all, neither for diabetics nor for everyone else.
And if you prepare a dessert? Don't worry, use one of the sweeteners proposed and you won't regret sugar and its sweet taste, but above all you won't be affected by its negative effects, creating a healthy and naturally good dish.
