Is Besan Good for Diabetes? (Expert Answer)

Short Answer: Besan is good for diabetes. Because it has protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates, and they can help you lower your blood sugar levels, feel full, and provide energy.

Diabetes is a condition that affects your blood sugar levels and how your body uses glucose for energy.

In diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it properly.

Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose move from the blood into the cells.

This can lead to various health problems, such as nerve damage, kidney damage, eye damage, heart disease, and stroke.

One of the key factors in managing diabetes is diet.

What you consume can affect your blood glucose levels, which can impact your diabetes symptoms and overall health.

To effectively manage diabetes, you should consume fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and avoid refined carbohydrates and added sugars like white bread, candy, and soda.

Now, besan is a type of flour made from ground chickpeas. It is also known as gram flour or chickpea flour.

People usually use besan to make various dishes, such as pancakes, fritters, dumplings, and curries.

Besan is good for diabetes because it contains protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates.

Protein and fiber can help you feel full and lower your blood sugar spikes after meals.

Complex carbohydrates are digested slowly and provide a steady source of energy.

One cup of besan can give you 21 grams of protein (42% of your daily needs), 10 grams of fiber (40% of your daily needs), and 53 grams of carbohydrates (18% of your daily needs).

Protein can help you build and repair muscles and tissues, and regulate hormones and enzymes.

Protein can also help you manage diabetes by improving your insulin sensitivity and reducing your appetite.

Fiber can help you lower your cholesterol levels, improve your digestion, and prevent constipation.

Fiber can also help you manage diabetes by slowing down the absorption of glucose and reducing the glycemic index of foods.

Complex carbohydrates can help you provide energy for your brain and body, and support your nervous system and immune system.

Complex carbohydrates can also help you manage diabetes by keeping your blood sugar levels stable and preventing hypoglycemia.

Furthermore, besan is a low glycemic index (GI) food and low GI foods are good for diabetes.

Because, low GI foods cause a smaller rise in blood sugar levels than high GI foods, which can help you control your diabetes and reduce the risk of complications.

You can eat one to two servings of besan per day safely.

More than that can cause bloating, gas, and indigestion.

Because, besan is high in fiber and some people may have difficulty digesting it.

Also, you shouldn’t eat besan if you have a chickpea allergy or celiac disease to prevent an allergic reaction or intestinal damage.

Because, besan is made from chickpeas, which are a common allergen, and may contain traces of gluten, which can harm people with celiac disease.

You can buy fresh besan in your local market or can order it from online.

Because, organic besan is free of pesticides and chemicals, and unbleached besan retains more nutrients and flavor.

You can store besan in an airtight container in a cool and dry place for up to six months.

Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing diabetes effectively.

I always recommend my diabetes patients to follow a diabetes-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.

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About the Author

Abdur Rahman Choudhury

Abdur Rahman Choudhury is a nutritionist in West Bengal, India, with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Biochemistry.

He has done his diploma in nutrition from Fabulous Body Inc (US), and completed various certification courses from several universities. He also has considerable research experience in PCOS.

Abdur currently lives in India and keeps fit by weight training and eating mainly home-cooked meals.

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