Can individuals with high blood sugar consume Ejiao (donkey-hide gelatin)?
Disease description:
My blood sugar is somewhat elevated, and I’d like to purchase some ejiao (donkey-hide gelatin) to replenish qi and blood. Can individuals with high blood sugar consume ejiao?
Individuals with high blood sugar may consume donkey-hide gelatin (ejiao) in moderation—however, they should choose sugar-free varieties, as many commercially available ejiao products contain added sugar and are therefore unsuitable for people with hyperglycemia. Ejiao offers numerous health benefits, including nourishing yin, moistening dryness, invigorating blood, stopping bleeding, and enhancing immune function. Thus, individuals with elevated blood glucose levels may consume it moderately. Nevertheless, excessive intake should be avoided, as it may raise blood glucose levels, increase gastrointestinal burden, and trigger “heatiness” (a traditional Chinese medicine concept referring to symptoms such as sore throat, constipation, or irritability).