As per the WHO World Survey, about 422 million people have diabetes conditions, and the number is only rising. One of the major reasons why the condition turns fatal is due to not monitoring blood sugar regulation. Therefore, the sweetener use level should be regulated to ensure blood sugar levels do not get affected.
While sugar is a majorly restricted ingredient in a diabetic diet, people are inclined towards honey, with conception as the natural alternative, which is rather controversial. At Agilus Diagnostics, we avail complete diabetes care routine blood sugar test package with getting service directly at your home and receiving reports online. Although honey offers a lot of health benefits, can it really take sugar's place in the diet to manage diabetes? Let's explore the effects of honey and whether it can fit into the diabetes diet.
How do sweeteners affect diabetes?
The diabetes condition is diagnosed when the blood test indicates an increase in blood glucose levels. This is when you will need to closely pay attention to how much sugar or other sweet ingredients you use in your diet. In type I diabetes, your body does not produce and release any insulin, so you will need to manage it closely.
In type-II diabetes conditions, your diet needs strict control of sugar adherence. Since it is a chronic condition, your blood sugar level will increase over an extended period of time. This is how sweeteners can affect type-I diabetes and type-II diabetes conditions.
- For Type-I Diabetes
In Type-I diabetes, your body won't produce insulin as your defence system attacks beta cells in the pancreas, which leads to increased blood sugar levels. Hence, your body will require daily insulin shots to keep it in control. It is the case that any sweetener in diabetes foods, including honey, can risk a rise in blood sugar levels.
- For Type-II Diabetes
This condition is most common when your body does not make enough insulin. You may look for a favourable sweetener alternative for sugar with moderate use with lifestyle change and medication; the type II condition can be manageable.
The impact of honey on blood sugar levels
As a natural sweetener, honey is derived from flowers. Therefore, it has a high sugar content, which can drastically raise blood glucose levels. Diabetic patients can suffer both long and short-term complications from honey consumption. It can include hypo and hyperglycemia and increase the risk of heart attack.
Our online blood sugar level test package is designed to improve your convenience and quality of life at an affordable price. Honey is sweeter compared to granulated sugar and has more calories and carbs per teaspoon. Hence, it is a less suitable alternative to use in some recipes. But if it's to your taste, you may use it in a moderate amount and take routine tests. Make sure to measure the carbohydrates in honey while making your diabetes plan.
Properties of honey
Honey has a lower glycemic index than sugar since it is a combination of fructose, glucose, and water. When you take a teaspoon of honey in your diet, it will provide you with around 22 calories. It includes trace quantities of other carbs, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. Moreover, honey has antimicrobial properties. However, all these properties do not disregard its impact on blood sugar levels.
How can honey, as a replacement for sugar, help?
Even though honey has the potential to increase the sugar level in the blood, it can still be beneficial for managing diabetes compared to refined sugar due to glucose and fructose sugars.
- Honey has antioxidants and bioactive components that can offer more benefits than glycemic management.
- It can raise HDL and good cholesterol to reduce the risk of heart attack.
- You can use it in small amounts for hot or cold drinks or while preparing desserts. Choose our diabetes profile test online for sugar level monitoring whenever you consume a sweet diet with honey.
Also Read: Comprehensive Guide to Blood Sugar Test
What effective, sweeter alternatives can people with diabetes use?
- Erythritol
Sugar alcohol erythritol provides sweetness without raising blood sugar levels and instantly gets absorbed. Therefore, it does not cause any digestive problems.
- Xylitol
Another sweeter can be xylitol, which is a sugar alcohol. It is beneficial for dental health and has no effect on blood sugar levels, but too much of it can cause digestive issues.
- Stevia
Stevia is a naturally occurring, calorie-free sweetener that comes from the stevia plant. It is much sweeter than sugar and doesn't affect blood sugar levels.
Summing up!
Honey has always been surrounded by controversial discussion for its possibility for inclusion in the diet as it is produced naturally. Since it has a glycaemic index and antioxidant capabilities, you can use it in moderate amounts. However, you have to have a controlled blood sugar level, and honey's taste should be to your liking to create a tailored diet plan around honey for it to be advantageous.
Consider using other preferred sweeteners mentioned above to satisfy your sweet dish cravings without a blood sugar level hike. Get in touch with us to conduct routine monitoring of your blood sugar level without a Diabetes monitor test package and enjoy the flexibility of controlling diabetes through online reports. Our comprehensive test results will help you monitor the effects of honey or any other sweetener alternative you use for glycemic control.
Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited
