KOMPAS.com – Cilembu sweet potatoes are known for their natural sweet taste which makes them a favorite snack choice for many people.
However, what about the impact on blood sugar levels, especially for diabetes sufferers? Let’s discuss it further.
Cilembu sweet potatoes are safe for blood sugar
Cilembu sweet potatoes have special advantages, namely a lower glycemic index (GI) compared to other carbohydrate sources such as rice, wheat flour or bread.
The glycemic index itself is an indicator that shows how quickly foods containing carbohydrates can increase blood sugar levels in the body.
Also read: Recipe for Durian Banana Sweet Potato Compote, a sweet and warm snack
According to the General Chairperson of the Association of Indonesian Traditional Medicine and Herbal Medicine Developers (PDPOTJI) Inggrid Tania, Cilembu sweet potato can be a relatively safe alternative for diabetes sufferers.
“The glycemic index is not high, so diabetes sufferers who still need carbohydrates can choose Cilembu sweet potatoes as an alternative,” he explained.
Even though consuming Cilembu sweet potatoes will still increase blood sugar levels, the process occurs slowly, not as fast as consuming rice or bread.
Cilembu sweet potato nutritional content
As a source of carbohydrates, Cilembu sweet potatoes also provide sufficient energy for activities. Based on Indonesian Food Composition Data, every 100 grams of Cilembu sweet potato contains:
- Energy: 186 calories
- Carbohydrates: 44.3 grams
Apart from that, Cilembu sweet potatoes help improve the digestive system, especially in increasing the frequency of bowel movements.
Interestingly, Cilembu sweet potatoes are gluten-free, so they are safe for consumption by people with celiac disease, an autoimmune condition caused by sensitivity to gluten, which is found in wheat and other grains.
Also read: 5 Ways to Cook Soft and Soft Cilembu Sweet Potatoes
Still limit your consumption of Cilembu sweet potatoes
Even though it has a low glycemic index, diabetes sufferers still need to limit their consumption of Cilembu sweet potatoes according to their individual health conditions.
Ingrid suggests that the safe amount of cilembu sweet potato consumption depends on the severity of diabetes a person is experiencing.
Illustration of Cilembu sweet potato. Benefits of Cilembu sweet potato.“Cilembu sweet potatoes should be used as a snack in limited portions and not consumed every day. “It’s best only as a distraction for a few days every week,” he added.
Cilembu sweet potato leaves for blood sugar
Apart from the tubers, Cilembu sweet potato leaves are also useful in helping control blood sugar levels.
Several studies show that consuming Cilembu sweet potato leaves can reduce blood sugar levels.
Also read: Mozzarella Roasted Cilembu Sweet Potato Recipe for New Year’s Eve
Therefore, these leaves can be an additional choice for diabetes sufferers who want to control their blood sugar levels naturally.
Listen breaking news And selected news we’re right on your phone. Choose your favorite news channel to access Kompas.com WhatsApp Channel: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaFPbedBPzjZrk13HO3D. Make sure you have installed the WhatsApp application.
