Generally speaking, people with blood sugar concerns can enjoy fruit in moderation. The high amount of fiber in fruit mitigates the naturally occurring sugar. Fruit tastes like candy, but it’s generally viewed as a healthy treat because of the fiber and nutrients. However, every person reacts differently to food, and we do hear people say that they can’t eat fruit.
Whenever we write a blog about the benefits of fruit, someone will invariably comment on Facebook that they can’t enjoy fruit because it wreaks havoc on their blood sugar. The best diet is one with a wide variety of foods. And, people should be able to enjoy as many foods as possible! That’s why we’re thrilled about news coming out of the Univ. of Newcastle. Prof. Yong-Ling Ruan pinpointed how plants distribute and store sugar in their cells.
This knowledge is key to growing fruit, and even sugarcane, that is low in sugar while also being sweet! Prof. Ruan looked at why apples and tomatoes have sweet fruit when the leaves aren’t sweet. Figuring out how the plant distributed and stored sugar is the first step in manipulating and breeding new strains.
“It opens the door to increase or reduce the amount of sugars in plants,” said Prof. Ruan, “helping farmers to increase the quality and yield of fresh products such as fruits and sugarcane or produce low sugar, high sweetness fruit.”
We’re excited to see how the research will progress. That “diet” fruits would benefit people with blood sugar concerns, and it could be great for folks who are trying to lose weight. Research like this often takes a long time, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on.
If you are someone who struggles with the sugar in fruit, despite the high amounts of fiber, you might find that not all fruit is out of reach. You can take a look at a fruit’s GI to gauge if it’s right for you. Not all fruit is the same. Some have far more sugar and less fiber than others. Berries, cherries, pears, apples and more have low GIs. Other fruits like melons and pineapples, though also containing fiber, have a much higher GI and might be something to avoid. You should always discuss your specific dietary needs with your doctor and find what works well for you. This research could make fruit easier to enjoy in the future, but it’s not here yet and having a healthy diet in the present is essential to good health!
