Are Lemons Good For Diabetes? 5 Impressive Benefits

Lemons are loaded with fiber, vitamin C, and potassium that have heart benefits for diabetics. Vitamin C in lemons could also regulate glucose levels. Even ayurveda recommends kickstarting your metabolism with some warm water and lemon juice every morning, so why not give it a go?

Lemons with their delightful burst of citrusy freshness can liven up any meal. But you may not think of it as a “food” like you would a handful of nuts or some spinach. The juice and the flesh of the lemon do have more nutrient content than you’d realize, though. And some of these have benefits if you are diabetic. So how good are lemons for diabetes? Read on to find out!

1. Vitamin C In Lemons May Help Lower Blood Glucose Levels

Researchers have found a strong inverse relationship between the level of vitamin C in your body and your risk of diabetes. They also found that fruit and vegetable intake to some extent reduced the risk of developing diabetes, highlighting the importance of a diet rich in fresh produce.Thanks to their high vitamin C content, giving you nearly 50% of the daily value (DV) for the vitamin, lemons make an ideal candidate for helping boost your levels of this vitamin.

Some research also points to the use of vitamin C alongside medicines like metformin to help treat type 2 diabetes. In one study, researchers found that test subjects who took oral vitamin C along with metformin for a period of 12 weeks saw a drop in levels of fasting and post-meal blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). These are measures of how much in control you are of your diabetes. Vitamin C supplementation could have potential side effects if consumed in overly large amounts, so it may be a smart idea to stick to natural sources like lemon juice.

2. Fiber Content Regulates Glucose And Lowers Risk Of Heart Trouble

Lemon contains a precious 2.4 grams of fiber in its flesh, which is about 9.6% DV.6 7 For diabetics, increasing fiber intake is important due to the elevated risk of cardiovascular disease. High-fiber diets may improve glycemic control, reduce your insulin requirements, bring down triglyceride levels, and even help with weight loss. Such diets may also help improve metabolic control for diabetics and even lower blood pressure levels. Fiber-rich foods also tend to be lower on the glycemic index, causing your blood glucose levels to fluctuate less and making you feel full for longer, preventing binges.

3. Potassium In Lemons Also Fights Heart Problems

Potassium can lower your blood pressure and cut the risk of strokes and heart attacks – all problems diabetics may be more susceptible to due to their condition. One possible explanation for its cardiovascular health benefits is that it reduces the hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) due to calcium buildup. It also balances the effects of a high sodium diet, which many of us are guilty of having today due to the consumption of processed foods.

4. Ayurveda Recommends Warm Lemon Water To Aid Digestion

As someone with diabetes, you need to keep your digestive system working well. Diabetes that is poorly controlled can affect other systems in the body, including the digestive system. Among other things, it may result in acid reflux and gastroparesis which causes food to be digested slowly and for the stomach to be emptied slower than normal. While there are medications to help hasten stomach emptying, lemon water can offer a more natural route.

Ayurveda believes that there is a link between “ama” or undigested foods and toxins in the body and diabetes. Purging this ama by modifying the diet and adopting lifestyle changes (like increased activity) can help with the disease itself. You can get your metabolism going with some warm water with lemon juice as soon as you wake up every morning. It helps stimulate muscular contractions to purge your system of toxins and gets your digestion kick-started. If you have a weight problem, the warm water along with lemon juice may also amp up your metabolism, helping your body burn more calories through the day.

A caveat here for anyone with diabetes is to start this lemon water regimen only after running it by your doctor. If you find that it makes you feel ill or causes your sugar levels to suddenly dip, this is not something you should continue with.

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