Corn is a familiar food in many diets, offering a wealth of nutrients. However, its sweetness and high starch level often lead people to wonder if it's suitable for those with diabetes. While individuals with diabetes can consume corn, it's essential to be careful of the amount and monitor blood sugar levels.
1. Health Benefits of Corn
Corn is a nutritious food packed with flavonoids and phenolic compounds, which have been associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including diabetes. Additionally, corn is a rich source of essential vitamins and minerals. Beyond being a food, corn has also been used as a medication for various diseases.
A 100-gram boiled corn provides approximately 77 calories, 5 grams of fiber, 17 grams of carbohydrates, 8 grams of sugar, 8 grams of protein, and a variety of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin C, B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, iron, and zinc.
Furthermore, corn is rich in antioxidants, higher than many other grains. These antioxidants help prevent the development of cancer cells caused by free radicals, reducing the risk of lung, breast, and colon cancer.
2. Can people with diabetes include corn in their diet?
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder of carbohydrates caused by a deficiency of the pancreatic hormone insulin or by a decrease in its effectiveness, resulting in higher-than-normal blood sugar levels.
If blood sugar levels are not controlled, diabetes can cause many serious complications in many organs. It can lead to coronary heart disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, cataracts, kidney failure, and more.
A proper diet is crucial for controlling blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. A balanced diet helps patients maintain stable blood sugar levels, reduce the need for medication, prevent or slow down the onset of complications, and thus improve quality of life and extend lifespan.
People with diabetes often have to consider whether or not they can eat certain foods. Corn is a delicious and nutritious food that people with diabetes often wonder if they can eat. Some studies suggest that people with diabetes can eat corn for the following reasons:
Corn is a very healthy food, and it is also high in antioxidants, which can help reduce the symptoms of diabetes.
The glycemic index (GI) shows how quickly a food raises blood sugar levels after eating. Foods with a GI below 55 are considered low and beneficial for health, 55-69 is medium, and above 69 is high and should be limited. The GI of boiled corn is 52. Therefore, it is a low-GI food that can be consumed by people with diabetes.
Corn is also rich in carotenoids and folate, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, so corn plays an important role in maintaining eye health, specifically reducing macular degeneration and cataracts, which are serious complications of diabetes.
Corn is low in fat and salt, making it suitable for the diet of people with diabetes.
However, corn is still a starchy food, so people with diabetes should not eat too much corn. This is to avoid difficulty in controlling blood sugar levels.
Trắc nghiệm dành riêng cho người mắc đái tháo đường: Chế độ ăn của bạn đã hợp lý chưa?
Người bị bệnh đái tháo đường cần phải quan tâm nhiều hơn đến cách tính toán khẩu phần ăn sao cho phù hợp với nhu cầu và tình trạng sức khỏe. Nếu chưa rõ, bạn có thể tìm hiểu kỹ hơn thông qua bài trắc nghiệm ngắn sau đây.3.Precautions When Eating Corn for People with Diabetes
With a diabetes diet that reduces foods high in carbohydrates, although corn has many benefits, it still poses a risk of increasing blood sugar levels. Therefore, it is essential for people with diabetes to control their corn intake to avoid excessive amounts of carbohydrates in a meal.
Some notes for people with diabetes when eating corn:
When creating a suitable diet plan for patients, doctors will usually base it on weight and daily physical activity levels to calculate the number of calories or the amount of carbohydrates needed in each meal. Based on this index, patients should calculate the appropriate amount of corn to provide carbohydrates in place of other foods like rice, potatoes, noodles, and pho.
Do not eat only corn, but also increase the variety of other grains, fruits and vegetables, and low-fat products in your diet.
Eat whole-grain corn or boiled corn instead of processed corn products or popcorn with lots of butter and flavorings. Because these foods will only increase the amount of carbohydrates, fat in the body, and the amount of calories provided, making it more difficult to control your diet.
So, the answer to the question of whether people with diabetes can eat corn is yes. However, you should pay attention to the amount of corn you consume to avoid increasing blood sugar levels.
To arrange an appointment, please call HOTLINE or make your reservation directly HERE. You may also download the MyVinmec app to schedule appointments faster and manage your reservations more conveniently.
Reference source: vienyhocungdung.vn
