For people with diabetes - the group that needs to strictly control carbohydrate and blood sugar - the question "can you eat pear or not" always receives a lot of attention.
First of all, pears have a low glycemic index (GI), ranging from 3342 depending on the variety and ripeness. Low GI foods are absorbed slowly by the body, helping blood sugar increase slowly instead of suddenly. This is a particularly important factor for people with diabetes, which requires limiting strong fluctuations in blood glucose.
Pears are a fruit that contains a significant amount of soluble and insoluble fiber, especially pectin - a type of fiber that helps slow down the absorption of sugar, supporting blood sugar control after eating. An average pear provides about 56g of fiber, equivalent to 20% of your daily fiber needs.
In addition, pears also provide vitamin C, potassium, antioxidants such as flavonoids, which help reduce oxidative stress one of the factors related to complications of diabetes.
Some epidemiological studies show that people who consume fresh fruits with a lot of fiber, such as pears and apples, have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who eat less fruit. This strengthens the role of choosing the right type of fruit in the diet.
Pear intake for people with diabetes
Although beneficial, pears still contain carbohydrates. Therefore, people with diabetes should not eat too much.
A reasonable portion is usually half to one medium pear per time, depending on your physical condition and blood sugar level.
It is best to eat fresh pears to make the most of fiber. Combining pears with protein or healthy fats also helps stabilize blood sugar.
Pears are a safe and beneficial fruit for people with diabetes if they know how to use them properly.
Monitoring personal blood sugar reactions after eating is still an important factor to adjust the most suitable portion sizes.