Can people with diabetes drink water infused with Astragalus (Bei Qi), red dates (Hong Zao), and wolfberries (Gou Qi)?

Jul 05, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

My mother has diabetes, but she wants to drink water infused with Astragalus (Bei Qi), red dates (jujube), and goji berries. Is it safe for people with diabetes to drink water infused with Astragalus, red dates, and goji berries?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Diabetic patients are not advised to drink water infused with Bei Qi (Astragalus), red dates, and goji berries. This is primarily because red dates and goji berries contain relatively high amounts of sugar, which is not conducive to blood glucose control in diabetic patients. Although Bei Qi has benefits such as replenishing qi, improving complexion, moisturizing skin, strengthening physical condition, promoting blood circulation, accelerating sugar metabolism, and fat breakdown, the sugar content in red dates and goji berries may counteract the benefits of Bei Qi and could even cause an increase in blood glucose levels. Diabetic patients need to strictly control their diet and avoid consuming high-sugar, high-fat, and high-salt foods in order to maintain stable blood glucose levels. When choosing beverages, they should opt for sugar-free or low-sugar options such as plain water or unsweetened tea. If there are special needs or questions, it is recommended to consult a physician or nutritionist for personalized dietary planning.