Can diabetics eat blueberries: How Blueberries Help in the Fight Against Diabetes

17.07.202327.06.2023 by alexxlab

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Weight Loss, Insulin Sensitivity & More

Diabetes and Blueberries: Weight Loss, Insulin Sensitivity & More

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Medically reviewed by Katherine Marengo LDN, R. D., Nutrition — By Scott Frothingham on January 30, 2019

Blueberries are rich in a variety of nutrients, including:

fiber
vitamin C
vitamin E
vitamin K
potassium
calcium
magnesium
folate

One cup of fresh blueberries contains about:

84 calories
22 grams of carbohydrate
4 grams of fiber
0 grams of fat

In fact, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) calls blueberries a diabetes superfood. While there’s no technical definition of the term “superfood,” blueberries are packed with vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and fiber that promote overall health. They may also help prevent disease.

For people living with diabetes, blueberries may help with glucose processing, weight loss, and insulin sensitivity. Read on to learn more about the benefits of blueberries for diabetes.

Glycemic index (GI) measures the effects of carbohydrate-containing foods on your blood sugar level, also called blood glucose level.

The GI index ranks foods on a scale of 0 to 100. Foods with a high GI number raise blood glucose levels more quickly than foods with a medium or low GI number. GI rankings are defined as:

Low: 55 or less
Medium: 56–69
High: 70 or more

The glycemic index of blueberries is 53, which is a low GI. This is about the same as kiwi fruit, bananas, pineapple and mango. Understanding the GI of foods, as well as the glycemic load, can help people with diabetes plan their meals.

Glycemic load (GL) includes portion size and digestible carbohydrates along with GI. This gives you a more complete picture of a food’s effect on blood sugar by measuring:

how quickly a food makes glucose enter the bloodstream
how much glucose per serving it delivers

Like the GI, the GL has three classifications:

Low: 10 or less
Medium: 11–19
High: 20 or more

One cup of blueberries with an average portion size of 5 ounces (150 g) has a GL of 9. 6. A smaller serving (100 g) would have a GL of 6.4.

By comparison, a standard-sized potato has a GL of 12. This means a single potato has nearly twice the glycemic effect of a small serving of blueberries.

Blueberries might aid in the efficient processing of glucose. A University of Michigan study on rats found that feeding the rats powdered blueberry lowered abdominal fat, triglycerides, and cholesterol. It also improved fasting glucose and insulin sensitivity.

When combined with a low-fat diet, the blueberries also resulted in lower fat mass as well as lower overall body weight. Liver mass was also reduced. An enlarged liver is linked to insulin resistance and obesity, which are common features of diabetes.

More research is needed to determine the effects of blueberries on glucose processing in humans.

According to a 2010 study published in The Journal of Nutrition, obese adults with prediabetes improved insulin sensitivity by drinking blueberry smoothies. The study suggested that blueberries can make the body more responsive to insulin, which may help people with prediabetes.

Since blueberries are low in calories but high in nutrients, they may help with weight loss. For people who are overweight or obese, eating a healthy balanced diet that includes fruits such as blueberries may help prevent diabetes and improve overall health.

A 2015 study of 118,000 people over 24 years concluded that increasing fruit consumption — specifically berries, apples, and pears — results in weight loss.

The study suggested that this information could offer guidance for the prevention of obesity, which is a primary risk factor of health conditions such as diabetes.

Although more studies are needed to determine the biological effect of blueberries, some research suggests that eating blueberries can help people lose weight and improve insulin sensitivity. As such, blueberries could be beneficial for people with diabetes. Speak with your doctor or dietician for more information on eating a healthy diet for diabetes.

Last medically reviewed on January 30, 2019

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Bertoia ML, et al. (2015). Changes in intake of fruits and vegetables and weight change in United States men and women followed for up to 24 years: Analysis from three prospective cohort studies.
journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1001878
Diabetes superfoods. (n.d.).
diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/making-healthy-food-choices/diabetes-superfoods.html
Kirkendoll S. (n.d.). Study suggests health benefits in blueberries.
ur.umich.edu/0809/Apr27_09/13.php
Stull AJ. (2016). Blueberries? Impact on insulin resistance and glucose intolerance.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5187542/
Stull AJ, et al. (2010). Bioactives in blueberries improve insulin sensitivity in obese, insulin-resistant men and women.
academic.oup.com/jn/article/140/10/1764/4600255

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version

Jan 30, 2019

Written By

Scott Frothingham

Edited By

Christina Nagatani

Medically Reviewed By

Katherine Marengo, LDN, RD

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Katherine Marengo LDN, R.D., Nutrition — By Scott Frothingham on January 30, 2019

Weight Loss, Insulin Sensitivity & More

Diabetes and Blueberries: Weight Loss, Insulin Sensitivity & More

Health Conditions
- Featured
  - Breast Cancer
  - IBD
  - Migraine
  - Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  - Rheumatoid Arthritis
  - Type 2 Diabetes
- Articles
  - Acid Reflux
  - ADHD
  - Allergies
  - Alzheimer’s & Dementia
  - Bipolar Disorder
  - Cancer
  - Crohn’s Disease
  - Chronic Pain
  - Cold & Flu
  - COPD
  - Depression
  - Fibromyalgia
  - Heart Disease
  - High Cholesterol
  - HIV
  - Hypertension
  - IPF
  - Osteoarthritis
  - Psoriasis
  - Skin Disorders and Care
  - STDs
Discover
- Wellness Topics
  - Nutrition
  - Fitness
  - Skin Care
  - Sexual Health
  - Women’s Health
  - Mental Well-Being
  - Sleep
- Product Reviews
  - Vitamins & Supplements
  - Sleep
  - Mental Health
  - Nutrition
  - At-Home Testing
  - CBD
  - Men’s Health
- Original Series
  - Fresh Food Fast
  - Diagnosis Diaries
  - You’re Not Alone
  - Present Tense
- Video Series
  - Youth in Focus
  - Healthy Harvest
  - No More Silence
  - Future of Health
Plan
- Health Challenges
  - Mindful Eating
  - Sugar Savvy
  - Move Your Body
  - Gut Health
  - Mood Foods
  - Align Your Spine
- Find Care
  - Primary Care
  - Mental Health
  - OB-GYN
  - Dermatologists
  - Neurologists
  - Cardiologists
  - Orthopedists
- Lifestyle Quizzes
  - Weight Management
  - Am I Depressed? A Quiz for Teens
  - Are You a Workaholic?
  - How Well Do You Sleep?
- Tools & Resources
  - Health News
  - Find a Diet
  - Find Healthy Snacks
  - Drugs A-Z
  - Health A-Z
Connect
- - Breast Cancer
  - Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  - Psoriatic Arthritis
  - Migraine
  - Multiple Sclerosis
  - Psoriasis

Medically reviewed by Katherine Marengo LDN, R. D., Nutrition — By Scott Frothingham on January 30, 2019

Blueberries are rich in a variety of nutrients, including:

fiber
vitamin C
vitamin E
vitamin K
potassium
calcium
magnesium
folate

One cup of fresh blueberries contains about:

84 calories
22 grams of carbohydrate
4 grams of fiber
0 grams of fat

For people living with diabetes, blueberries may help with glucose processing, weight loss, and insulin sensitivity. Read on to learn more about the benefits of blueberries for diabetes.

Glycemic index (GI) measures the effects of carbohydrate-containing foods on your blood sugar level, also called blood glucose level.

The GI index ranks foods on a scale of 0 to 100. Foods with a high GI number raise blood glucose levels more quickly than foods with a medium or low GI number. GI rankings are defined as:

Low: 55 or less
Medium: 56–69
High: 70 or more

Glycemic load (GL) includes portion size and digestible carbohydrates along with GI. This gives you a more complete picture of a food’s effect on blood sugar by measuring:

how quickly a food makes glucose enter the bloodstream
how much glucose per serving it delivers

Like the GI, the GL has three classifications:

Low: 10 or less
Medium: 11–19
High: 20 or more

One cup of blueberries with an average portion size of 5 ounces (150 g) has a GL of 9. 6. A smaller serving (100 g) would have a GL of 6.4.

By comparison, a standard-sized potato has a GL of 12. This means a single potato has nearly twice the glycemic effect of a small serving of blueberries.

More research is needed to determine the effects of blueberries on glucose processing in humans.

A 2015 study of 118,000 people over 24 years concluded that increasing fruit consumption — specifically berries, apples, and pears — results in weight loss.

The study suggested that this information could offer guidance for the prevention of obesity, which is a primary risk factor of health conditions such as diabetes.

Last medically reviewed on January 30, 2019

How we reviewed this article:

Bertoia ML, et al. (2015). Changes in intake of fruits and vegetables and weight change in United States men and women followed for up to 24 years: Analysis from three prospective cohort studies.
journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1001878
Diabetes superfoods. (n.d.).
diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/making-healthy-food-choices/diabetes-superfoods.html
Kirkendoll S. (n.d.). Study suggests health benefits in blueberries.
ur.umich.edu/0809/Apr27_09/13.php
Stull AJ. (2016). Blueberries? Impact on insulin resistance and glucose intolerance.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5187542/
Stull AJ, et al. (2010). Bioactives in blueberries improve insulin sensitivity in obese, insulin-resistant men and women.
academic.oup.com/jn/article/140/10/1764/4600255

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version

Jan 30, 2019

Written By

Scott Frothingham

Edited By

Christina Nagatani

Medically Reviewed By

Katherine Marengo, LDN, RD

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Katherine Marengo LDN, R.D., Nutrition — By Scott Frothingham on January 30, 2019

Blueberries for Diabetes – Unstrip

Patients with diabetes are often forced to restrict their diet, depriving themselves of delicious foods, including some fruits and berries. Blueberries for diabetes are not only a berry that is allowed for patients with diabetic pathology, but is even used to treat this disease.

Benefits of blueberries for diabetes

It is hard to argue with the beneficial properties of blueberries: this amazing berry is full of useful substances, vitamins and minerals. It is useful for a healthy person, and for diabetics it is a real find, thanks to the ability to control blood sugar levels. So, for patients suffering from type II diabetes, blueberries will be useful for certain qualities.

It has the ability to influence the level of glucose in the blood: the substance inulin, which is part of the berry, leads to a decrease in sugar, which has a positive effect on the treatment of the disease. Thanks to the inclusion of blueberries in the diet, you can adjust the dosage of hypoglycemic drugs. Sometimes, with a mild course of the disease or if the patient has prediabetes, you can even refuse them altogether.
Correction of the immune status: due to the composition of the product, rich in vitamins of different groups, blueberries increase the body’s resistance to infections that diabetics are so often susceptible to.
Prevention of complications on the organ of vision: due to the presence of anthocyanosides, blueberries have the ability to prevent the development of microangiopathy in diabetes mellitus. This became possible due to the fact that the walls of blood vessels in the retina become more resistant to damage.

In addition, blueberries have a number of other positive properties that improve the functioning of the whole organism.

Normalizing the work of digestion – fresh berries are used against constipation, and in the form of jelly or dried blueberries will be an excellent remedy for diarrhea.
Removal of toxic substances – due to the presence of pectin in the composition of the berry.
Bactericidal and anti-inflammatory action.
Antianemic effect – due to the presence of malic acid, the process of assimilation of the gland and the synthesis of hemoglobin is normalized.
Beneficial effect on visual acuity.

How to use

blueberries in type II diabetes

Blueberries, which have a low sugar content, are useful for consumption in any form: fresh, dried, in the form of compotes and jelly without added sugar. In the cold season, blueberry paste will be a good remedy for diabetes: it tastes identical to blueberries, it does not contain sugar and preservatives, which means that such a paste completely retains all the useful set of substances that a fresh berry does.

Blueberry leaves are also suitable for use in diabetics. They can be used as a decoction.

In order to prepare a medicinal decoction, you need to take 30 grams of leaves (fresh or dry), which is equivalent to 4-5 tablespoons, and pour 1 liter of boiling water over them. Cook over low heat for 20-30 minutes. Infuse the resulting drink for one hour in a warm place, strain. You need to drink 1/3 cup warm 3 times a day for one month. A decoction of blueberries can be used longer, but then it is advisable to take a break for at least 2 weeks, and then resume taking it.

Thus, blueberries can be used in the complex treatment of such a disease as type 2 diabetes. This berry will not only help normalize blood sugar parameters, but can also replace floury treats when you want to eat something tasty.

Why blueberries help with diabetes, the composition of blueberries and its benefits for the patient, recipes from blueberries. Edible gifts Choosing the right gifts – how to choose a gift for a holiday for a woman, a man or a child

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Blueberries in diabetes 02.10.2016 13:42

How to use for diabetics?

This berry belongs to the melliferous, so patients have a natural question: “Is it possible to eat blueberries with diabetes?” Medicine unequivocally answers it, because its effect on the body is well studied.

With some restrictions, blueberries can be eaten with diabetes, it will be beneficial. It contains vitamins PP, C, A, essential oil, organic type acids, minerals and other compounds. In combination with glycosides, they reduce the concentration of glucose in the blood, making it possible to treat diabetes with blueberries.

Usually at this stage the question arises of how much blueberries can be eaten with diabetes. There are no categorical contraindications, which means that it is not forbidden to eat fruits in moderation.

For medicinal purposes, doctors usually recommend eating up to 300 g of berries daily, dividing them in portions. But blueberries in diabetes can be regularly eaten in such quantities, only after consulting a doctor. This is especially important for those taking drugs to lower the concentration of glucose.

Fresh blueberries have the most useful properties, juice is in second place, and berries grated with sugar are in third place. Fruits that have undergone heat treatment contain fewer nutrients. For this reason, it is better to freeze or dry it for the winter.

Healing features

Medicinal properties of blueberries have long been proven by official medicine, which allows prescribing preparations from berries as an adjuvant in complex therapy for diabetes.

First of all, blueberries help to cope with a number of concomitant diseases. Blueberries are excellent for supporting vision, strengthening blood vessels and preventing damage to the retina. Using it, you can prevent the appearance of microangiopathy (caused by special deposits on the walls of blood vessels). Blueberries are indispensable for type 2 diabetes, which is often accompanied by diseases of the organs of vision.

Recipes

Green plant parts

Blueberries in diabetes are often prescribed as a dietary supplement. It is also recommended as a drug. Traditional medicine suggests the use of all parts of the plant, including the leaves. The latter contain the neomyrtillin glycoside, a unique natural component often referred to as natural insulin. Therefore, tea, decoction or infusion of them is recommended to patients.

It is appropriate to replace the usual tea leaves with blueberry leaves. Per liter of water you will need 100 g of fresh or 50 g of dry leaves. They must be lowered into water and left to boil for 7-10 minutes. After that, the tea is left to infuse overnight. Drink no more than 150 ml at a time.

Use of dried blueberries

A decoction of blueberries is made as follows: two teaspoons of dried blueberries are poured into 200 ml of boiled water and left on a minimum heat for a quarter of an hour. The resulting drink should be brewed for several hours in a warm place. After this time, it can be used. The decoction is suitable for oral and external treatment of damaged or problematic skin.

How to use a decoction of blueberries in diabetes? There are various dosage regimens.

Can diabetics eat blueberries: How Blueberries Help in the Fight Against Diabetes

Weight Loss, Insulin Sensitivity & More

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Weight Loss, Insulin Sensitivity & More

How we reviewed this article:

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Blueberries for Diabetes – Unstrip

Benefits of blueberries for diabetes

How to use

Why blueberries help with diabetes, the composition of blueberries and its benefits for the patient, recipes from blueberries. Edible gifts Choosing the right gifts – how to choose a gift for a holiday for a woman, a man or a child

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