I found this article through a post in one of my diabetic FB groups, and considering how often I cook with mushrooms, I was instantly intrigued. After looking into the company US MED, a medical supply company, that originally published the article on their site, I found that their writers and reviewers actually have good credentials and offer down-to-earth advice often born of their own life experience. Enjoy!
Mushrooms and Diabetes:
How Can Mushrooms Help with Blood Sugar Levels?
Learn more with US MED’s guide to adding mushrooms to your diabetes diet and discover how this food can help keep your blood sugar in check.
Have you been working with your healthcare team to create a
dietary regimen that takes your diabetes diagnosis into account? In that case,
there’s a good chance you know how crucial it is to eat nutritious foods –
particularly vegetables. But following
a diabetes diet healthy meal plan doesn’t mean you can’t have
fun(gi)!
Mushrooms aren’t vegetables, per se; instead, they’re
the fruiting bodies of a fungus. Despite this, they certainly deliver the sort
of nutritional kick most commonly associated with veggies. They’re also often
included in this category from a culinary point of view.
Are you wondering “are mushrooms good for diabetics?”
You’ll find US MED’s complete guide to adding mushrooms to your diabetes diet
right here. Read on to learn how this unusual food can help keep your blood
sugar in check.
Health Benefits of Mushrooms
If you haven’t eaten mushrooms much before now, the variety
of mushroom options available can be intimidating. We’ll talk about some of the
most popular mushroom varieties in a bit. For now, all you need to know is
this: the health benefits associated with edible mushrooms are consistent
across the board.
Are mushrooms nutritious?
Of course, that doesn’t answer the question of what
mushrooms can actually do for your overall well-being. Let’s start with the
basics: a cup of raw mushrooms comes with a single gram of sugar, two grams of
carbs, and no fat whatsoever.
That’s not even considering the nutrients and antioxidants
in mushrooms. When you consume the same one-cup serving of mushrooms listed
above, you’ll get the following:
- 22 percent of your daily value of vitamin B2
- 16 percent of your vitamin B3 recommended daily intake
- 12 percent of your suggested daily selenium intake
- Other minerals (including phosphorus, iron, copper, and potassium)
Different types of mushrooms
As we alluded to earlier, when you add mushrooms to your
diet, you won’t struggle with a lack of variety. Here are just a few popular
edible mushroom varieties to pick from:
Portobello
If you’ve ever eaten mushrooms before, there’s a decent
chance you’ve had portobello mushrooms – these may be the most well-known
edible mushrooms in the world. You can serve Portobello mushrooms in countless
ways, but they’re famed for having caps that can be cooked like burger
patties.
Shiitake
Shiitake mushrooms are another ubiquitous mushroom in the
food world, often sauteed or included in soups like miso or ramen. No matter
how you eat them, you’ll find a lot to like about their famed anti-inflammatory
properties.
King Oyster
While they aren’t nearly as prominent as the last two
mushroom varieties, king oysters are incredibly versatile. And just like the
other mushroom species discussed here, they’re low in carbs and rich in
nutrients.
Lion’s Mane
Since they’re relatively rare, you’ll likely have to pay a
bit extra for lion’s mane mushrooms. But they’re worth the added expense,
particularly if you use them to make vegan “fish” tacos.
How can mushrooms help with blood sugar?
There’s no question that mushrooms can have health benefits
for just about anyone who wants to try them. However, there’s also no shortage
of perks associated with eating mushrooms for diabetes specifically. Here are
some reasons to add mushrooms to your meal plan.:
Low glycemic index/load
It’s easy to confuse the concepts of “glycemic index” and
“glycemic load.” Still, both systems are meant to explain how different foods
can affect blood sugar. No matter which system you use, mushrooms are an
impressive option. A one-cup serving has a glycemic load of less than 1; at
the same time, mushrooms have a “low” glycemic index of 10-15.
Anti-diabetic properties
Science suggests that the diabetes-related health benefits
tied to mushroom consumption go beyond their low amounts of glucose. Mushrooms
are also jam-packed with compounds called “polysaccharides.” So far, research
on these components in animals with type 2 diabetes suggests they could:
Lower blood sugar
- Reduce blood cholesterol
- Improve insulin resistance
- Help with pancreatic tissue damage
- Manage glucose levels with mushrooms – and supplies
Maybe you’ve been eating mushrooms for years, or perhaps
you’ve just heard about how they can make life with diabetes more manageable.
Either way, there’s no denying that these morsels can be a healthy part of any
healthy meal plan. That’s true thanks to their polysaccharide (fiber)
content, minimal glycemic load, and general health benefits.
Of course, even if you have good reasons for asking “are
mushrooms good for diabetes?” your diabetes management strategy shouldn’t rely
on a single dietary choice. Instead, it’s a good idea to add mushrooms to a
broader healthy diet created with input from your diabetes healthcare team.
You’ll also need access to supplies like continuous
glucose monitors, insulin pumps,
and diabetes
testing supplies to keep your diabetes under control. Make sure you’re
getting these supplies from a reliable company like
US MED.
Frequently asked questions
Are mushrooms good for people with diabetes?
Mushrooms are a fantastic culinary choice for almost anyone,
people with diabetes included. They have a glycemic index in the 10-15 range
and high amounts of polysaccharides (compounds believed to assist in blood
sugar management).
Do mushrooms help diabetes?
The diabetes-mushrooms connection is still being
investigated from a scientific perspective, but early findings are promising.
What we know right now is that mushrooms are packed with nutrients and have a
glycemic index of less than 1.
Do mushrooms reduce blood sugar?
Preliminary research suggests that the polysaccharides found
in mushrooms could contribute to lowering blood sugar. Along with that,
mushrooms have a low glycemic load and are highly nutritious.
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Have a great week, everyone, and thank you for your support!
Blessed be… and happy cooking!
Chef Michael R