Watermelon had a high glycemic index of 80 until it was updated in 2021 to 50, making it a low glycemic fruit.
It is a great fruit for diabetics as it is a good source of vitamins and minerals, but portioning is still important to diabetes management.
Watermelon Glycemic Index
Watermelon use to be a high glycemic fruit according to the 2008 glycemic index evaluation. On a scale of 1 to 100, with the high glycemic range starting at 70, it landed at 80. The updated review of 2021 states watermelon is low glycemic with a value of 50.
However, glycemic index is assigned without consideration of a proper portion size.
Glycemic load (GL) factors in portion sizes to paint a better picture of glycemia and how foods actually effect blood glucose.
Even though its glycemic value dropped 30 points, its glycemic load dropped only 3 points from 9 to 6; both which fall in the low glycemic load range.
Is Watermelon Healthy for Diabetics?
Yes! Watermelon is a low GI fruit and has a low glycemic load as well, meaning when it's reasonably portioned, watermelon has a small effect on blood glucose.
When eaten in large quantities, watermelon can cause a blood sugar spike, just like any other food with carbs.
The image below shows pairing suggestions that add protein or healthy fats to help balance macronutrients.
Watermelon Nutrition Facts 1 Cup Serving, Fresh
Fresh watermelon, is considered a whole fruit, and is a healthy food for diabetics. The below nutrition data is for fresh watermelon; not juiced, dried, or otherwise processed.
- Calories - 46
- Fat - 0.2
- Carbs - 12
- Fiber - 0.6
- Sugar - 9
- Protein - 0.9
- Vitamin C - 37%
- Iron - 3%
- Vitamin B6 - 5%
- Magnesium - 7%
Per the USDA, it's an excellent source of Vitamin C, and a good source of Vitamin A and beta carotene.
Vitamin C and beta-carotene are key antioxidants that neutralize free radicals. These nutrients, along with watermelon's lycopene, help lower the risk of cancer and promote heart health by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.
Eating Watermelon Benefits for Diabetes
What makes watermelon a great fruit for diabetes is that it has built-in blood-glucose-regulators, like magnesium and water, that help to keep your glucose steady.
- Magnesium is a key player in glucose control. Increased intake of magnesium is known to decrease blood glucose levels.
See the best magnesium food sources for more ways to incorporate it into your diet. - Possible weight loss - A healthy weight is good for insulin resistance. Because of its high water content, watermelon has low calories, a negligible amount of fat, and few carbs; all which aid weight loss.
Water in Watermelon
Water's role in blood glucose management is to flush sugar out of the blood.
Watermelon is 91% water! This is watermelon's biggest glucose-regulator.
With 91% water, watermelon will hydrate you and simultaneously flush its own sugars out of your blood.
How Much Watermelon Should a Diabetic Eat?
No two cases of diabetes are the same, so there's no hard and fast answer to this question.
When you eat it, and what you eat it with, also factor into the question.
It's best to avoid eating carbs on their own (without protein or fat), so a serving of fruit as an after-meal dessert is a great way to balance your carb intake and avoid added sugars.
Watermelon can star in this role! Though it has a high sugar content, it is low sugar compared to what you'd consume in a dessert.
Start with a small portion, and be sure to drink your Ovaltine 🙂 - I mean, be sure to factor the carbs into your allowance.
Watermelon Juice
Carbohydrates in liquid form, like fruit juices and smoothies, are digested more quickly than carbs in solid form, like apples, oranges, and other whole fruits. The 2021 glycemic review annotates the glycemic evaluation of watermelon juice to be an index value of 51 with a glycemic load of 10.
Note:
Store-bought fruit juice is often made from concentrate, making the carb count higher than if you were to eat the fruit itself.
FAQ
Yes, all carbohydrate-containing foods raise blood sugar, but watermelon also has a high water content and magnesium, both of which help regulate blood glucose.
Yes; in a serving size of 1 cup, 9 of 11 carbs are sugar. The sugar content should not deter you from eating watermelon however, because it has vitamins, minerals, a high water content, and a low glycemic load.
No. The sugars in watermelon are natural sugars. They are also simple sugars. These are okay in moderation, plus, watermelon's benefits far outweigh the concern of its sugars.
Yes! Gatorade does not nutritionally compare to watermelon. Though Gatorade has expanded its offerings, their main products contain only sodium and potassium as nutrients, harmful dyes, and added sugars. It was made to be a hydrating electrolyte-replenisher for those who sweat heavily, like athletes. Watermelon is hydrating, nutrient-rich, and naturally colored and sweetened.
Other Fruits' Glycemia
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