Majority of people are fond of eating sweets. Sweets – such as cakes and other pastries – are never absent on celebrations and other special occasions. Desserts are also more enticing when they are sweet. As a matter of fact, there are a lot of people who claim they have “sweet tooth”. When a person says he has sweet tooth, he means that he has a strong fondness for sweets and he just could not resist them. However, like what a cliché states, “too much of something is bad”. This is very applicable on consuming too much sweet as well. Once you have high amount of sweet intakes, there is a probability that you will acquire diabetes since sweets contain a towering amount of sugar.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that resulted from having high levels of blood sugar and very little of insulin. Insulin refers to the hormone that is given off by the pancreas which assists in the regulation of the blood sugar levels of the body and in transforming glucose into energy. Basically, the pancreas generates the right amount of insulin which will be able to contain the quantity of sugar. If the amount of insulin in the body is very low or there is already an absence of insulin, the probability of sugar build up in the bloodstream is increased. The moment that there is a buildup of sugar in the bloodstream, the person is more likely to have blood sugar levels which are above normal; thus, leading to the disease known as diabetes.

Types of Diabetes

This disease has two types known as the Type I Diabetes and the Type II Diabetes. Type I Diabetes is more common on children and people who are below 20 years of age. Also widely referred to as Juvenile Diabetes or Diabetes Mellitus, this insulin-dependent diabetes occurs when the pancreas no longer produce any insulin or, when it still does, only very little that it is almost nil is generated. On the other hand, Type II Diabetes or adult-onset diabetes oftentimes hits people who are middle-aged. Those who are in their early 30s and above are usually the target of this non-insulin dependent diabetes. Conversely, this type of diabetes is now spreading and is starting to hit even the adolescents. People who got Type II Diabetes have pancreas that are not working well anymore, but still has the capability to produce insulin. However, despite its ability to continue on producing insulin, there is a decreased amount of insulin that is generated. Another factor is that the cells are not taking an action to the insulin.

Almost everybody, especially those who have sweet tooth, do not want to stay away from sweets. A person can still consume sweets with adequate amounts of sugar and may be able to fight diabetes through these 5 fruits which are capable of combating the said disease.

• Citrus fruits.

  Citrus fruits, such as oranges and limes, are fruits that contain high amounts of vitamin C or ascorbic acid. Vitamin C is known to help in enhancing the immune system and in protecting the body from bacteria and viruses that might cause sickness or infection. Also, people who have low levels of ascorbic acid are also more vulnerable to acquiring diabetes, a study shows. This is why citrus fruits are effective in fighting diabetes. Aside from that, citrus fruits also contain manganese. It is one of the essential components found on insulin. In addition, they are very beneficial to the patients of Type II Diabetes due to the fact that it contains a certain flavonoid compound known as naringenin. This compound is composed of several insulin-like properties.

• Berries.

  Berries provide an excellent amount of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Being rich in antioxidants, berries take a significant role in the cleansing and detoxifying of the body. This detoxification will keep the body away from viruses and free radicals. Also, berries such as grapes and strawberries are rich in fiber. Fiber will enable the person to feel full for an extended period of time; hence, there will be lesser chances of eating again and taking in more sugar. In addition, a natural health expert has also stated that berries have low glycemic indexes, which implies that they have a mild effect on the levels of the blood sugar.

• Tomatoes.

  Tomatoes, widely cultivated in South America, are the red, round fruits of the Lycopersicon Esculentum plant. They contain a high level of ascorbic acid which gives them the capability to act as a fighting agent against a number of diseases. Also, tomatoes have antioxidant properties in the form of Lycopene, one of the essential nutrients they contain. Lycopene acts as a blood thinner. A number of researches have proven that regular consumption of foods which give off Lycopene, such as tomatoes, can significantly lower the levels of bad cholesterol in the body as well as the triglycerides in the blood.

• Apples.

  Apples are widely known to be a part of the cleansing fruits. It is for the reason that apples have an excellent amount of antioxidant properties, given that they contain flavonoids. These antioxidants help in eliminating free radicals that have the tendency to damage cells and elevate blood sugar levels. Also, apples are rich in dietary fiber. This allows the apple to aid in regulating the blood sugar levels of the body through slowly releasing the sugar in the bloodstream, avoiding excessive supply of glucose.

• Bananas.

  Bananas have high levels of fiber content which enables them to fight two of the most common problems experienced by diabetics: obesity and cardiovascular diseases. Also, bananas have low glycemic index, which implies that they have little chances of raising the blood sugar levels of the body. Moreover, they are rich in potassium; hence, they are capable of lowering one’s blood pressure.

  Fruits, most especially the fresh ones, are the best options for people who have a strong craving for sweets for the reason that the mentioned fruits are sweet in taste but they contain a sugar known as fructose. This fructose is not harmful to the body nor can it cause complications on the blood sugar levels.

Sources
usaweekend.com
readersdigest.ca
newsmaxhealth.com
livestrong.com