In recent years there is an ever increasing attention in ricerca di alimenti e altri prodotti naturali che possano fornire un aiuto nella prevenzione e nell vari problemi di salute.
Passion fruit has recently been studied primarily for its role in controlling type 2 diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors.
Passion fruit is considered a functional food for its high concentration of soluble and insoluble fibers.
- functional foods they are fresh or processed food products, naturally rich in substances that perform a beneficial and protective activity on the body and which, when included in a balanced diet, can have a preventive role against many diseases.
Diabetes and passion fruit, a study
Several studies have looked into the potential benefits of passion fruit in diabetes.
For example, according to a study published in 2012 in the Nutrition Journal, passion fruit would be a valuable aid in the control of type 2 diabetes due to its contribution to reduction of insulin resistance which is the basis of the pathology.
A systematic review, conducted on 43 diabetic patients aged between 57 and 73 years, provided for the administration of 30 grams per day of passion fruit flour, during meals.
The results of the study suggested a reduction in insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes and, consequently, a positive action of passion fruit on blood sugar control.
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The qualities of passion fruit for diabetes control
Il passion fruit it can be indicated in the diet of people with type 2 diabetes mainly for two reasons:
> It is rich in fiber, especially pectin. 100 grams of passion fruit contain about 10 grams of dietary fiber, equal to 27% of the recommended daily intake. Pectin forms, in the stomach, a gelatinous substance that delays the absorption of carbohydrates and maintains the feeling of satiety for a long time; moreover, it has a positive effect on the metabolism of fats and, consequently, also on the accumulation of cholesterol.
> He has a low glycemic index. The glycemic index measures the ability of the carbohydrates contained in a food to raise blood sugar after consumption. Low glycemic index means that blood sugar rises less and less rapidly. A food with a low glycemic index also has a high satiety index because blood sugar tends to have fewer "fluctuations" and this affects the sense of hunger. If the sense of hunger is less, there is a tendency to take less food and this is important for the body weight control, fundamental in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Of course, there are no miracle foods and passion fruit, when consumed in the right quantity, is one of the many products that, included in a healthy and balanced diet, can help keep blood sugar under control.
Read also
> 3 recipes with passion fruit
> Exotic fruit and the country
