Can people with high blood sugar consume Ejiao (donkey-hide gelatin)?
May 06, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Pan Yongyuan
Introduction
Donkey-hide gelatin (Ajiao) is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb with a sweet and warm nature. Its primary functions are to nourish the blood, moisten dryness, nourish yin, and enrich the blood. Whether diabetic patients may consume Ajiao requires a syndrome-differentiation-based assessment. Diabetic patients frequently exhibit symptoms of dryness, heat, and dual deficiency of qi and yin; in such cases, Ajiao should be avoided. However, in advanced stages of diabetes—when patients experience cold limbs and other cold-type symptoms or manifestations of blood deficiency—small amounts of Ajiao may be consumed.
In daily life, many people experience elevated blood glucose levels, which can harm the body and significantly impair quality of life and work performance. Individuals with high blood glucose must pay close attention to their diet, as food intake directly influences blood glucose levels. So, can individuals with high blood glucose consume donkey-hide gelatin (ejiao)?
Can individuals with high blood glucose consume donkey-hide gelatin (ejiao)?
Whether individuals with high blood glucose may consume ejiao depends on their individual constitution. Ejiao is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb with a sweet, warm nature. Its primary therapeutic actions include nourishing the blood, moistening dryness, and tonifying yin and blood. Whether diabetic patients may consume ejiao requires careful differential diagnosis. For instance, diabetic patients frequently present with syndromes of dryness-heat and dual deficiency of qi and yin; in such cases, ejiao is contraindicated. However, in later stages of diabetes—when patients experience cold limbs and other cold-type symptoms or manifestations of blood deficiency—small amounts of ejiao may be cautiously administered. Nevertheless, ejiao-based confections (e.g., ejiao cakes) contain significant amounts of sugar and possess a moderate glycemic index; thus, consuming them may cause a short-term rise in blood glucose. Consequently, diabetic patients are generally advised against consuming ejiao cakes—especially in large quantities.
Contraindications for ejiao use: 1. Patients with common cold or fever should avoid ejiao, as it may impede recovery. 2. Women during menstruation should discontinue ejiao use, as it may increase menstrual flow and, in severe cases, lead to anemia. 3. Postpartum women or those without retained blood stasis should avoid ejiao.
In daily life, adopt a pattern of eating smaller, more frequent meals and avoid overeating or binge eating. Regular, appropriate physical exercise is also recommended, as it helps lower blood glucose levels and enhances immune function. We hope this information proves helpful to you!
