Is jaggery good for diabetes?

Jaggery is an unrefined sweetener made from sugarcane juice and date palm sap. Since it is not chemically processed, it retains some of the minerals, such as magnesium, iron and potassium. In Ayurveda, jaggery is considered a healthy alternative to white sugar as it cures cold, improves digestion, helps regulate menstruation and also cures iron deficiency

Jaggery has been used in Indian households and Ayurvedic practices for a long time. According to Ayurveda, jaggery acts as a detoxifier and purifies the blood. Jaggery is also used in herbal preparations and its consumption during winters keeps the body warm. According to Ayurveda, jaggery is considered a natural healer, but its excessive consumption can aggravate the Pitta dosha. According to Ayurveda, it is a powerful natural healer, but it should be consumed in the right quantity at the right time and keeping the body type in mind.

A very thought provoking question is whether jaggery is good for diabetic patients?
Let’s understand this in more detail.

Is jaggery good for Diabetes Patients?

No, jaggery is not a good option for diabetics as the sugar content in it is equal to that of white sugar. Its excessive consumption can cause several complications like indigestion and high blood sugar levels in diabetics.
The glycemic index of jaggery is quite high, diabetics should consume it only after consulting a doctor as it can fluctuate blood sugar very quickly.

Is jaggery nutritious than sugar?

Jaggery can be considered healthier than sugar because some nutrients like magnesium, iron, potassium are preserved in it due to not being chemically processed. Jaggery is a traditional unrefined sugar which is made from date palm juice or sugarcane juice. Jaggery proves to be very beneficial in fulfilling iron deficiency as it is rich in iron but on the other hand, if we look at sugar, due to being chemically processed, all its nutrients are completely destroyed which is not at all beneficial for our health.

But in the case of diabetics, jaggery cannot be considered a healthy option because its glycemic index is very high. Jaggery has nutrients equal to white sugar, but it should be taken in limited quantity, otherwise its excessive consumption can also be harmful. Jaggery is healthier than sugar, but it cannot be considered a healthy option for diabetics and those taking insulin. As an alternative, you can take stevia, low glycemic fruits, and erythritol, so that blood sugar does not spike rapidly.

Can diabetics enjoy jaggery occasionally ?

A diabetic patient should consume jaggery in limited quantities only when his sugar is well controlled. Remember that jaggery is an unprocessed version of sugar which can cause as much harm to a diabetic as sugar. So until the blood sugar of a diabetic is stabilized, he should completely avoid sugar and jaggery. Yes, jaggery contains nutrients but in limited quantities. So it cannot be considered a healthy option for diabetics. People whose sugar has stabilized should also consult a doctor before consuming jaggery so that their health is not affected. It is better that you avoid sugar and jaggery and consume healthy alternatives to keep the blood sugar level stable.
Also, there are many other foods that diabetic patients should avoid — read our detailed guide on diabetes-safe foods to learn more.

Should You Add Jaggery to Curd? Truth According to Ayurveda-

According to Ayurveda, curd is considered cold and jaggery is considered hot as the combo of these two should be consumed in limited quantities at the right time, otherwise it can harm the body. But this is not a healthy option for diabetic patients as it contains jaggery, as jaggery has a high amount of sugar, which increases blood sugar rapidly.
This combo is only for healthy people for whom jaggery can prove to be healthy instead of white sugar. The combo of jaggery and curd is very delicious in taste. It helps in improving digestion as it contains curd which is rich in probiotics and jaggery contains elements like calcium, magnesium and iron, which make it a healthy combo. You can eat it as a side dish or dessert. But according to Ayurveda, it should be avoided eating at night or during the rainy season

Conclusion

Diabetic patients should not consume jaggery considering it a healthy alternative to sugar because it contains high amounts of sugar which can increase blood sugar rapidly along with increasing sugar. Diabetic patients can consume jaggery only when their sugar level is stable and that too on the advice of a doctor. Even if your sugar level has become normal, you should consume these foods only after consulting your doctor. Some foods will be good for the health of diabetic patients only if they avoid them.

To reduce your sugar cravings, instead of jaggery and sugar, you can consume stevia or low glycemic fruits like apple, guava, jamun. They have less sugar content due to which they do not affect your blood sugar so much.

The sugar of diabetic patients is already high. If they consume high glycemic things, their blood sugar will increase even faster. Therefore, before eating anything, get information about it and most importantly consult your doctor.

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