Can I eat shepherd's purse if my blood sugar is high?

Jul 10, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

My blood sugar tends to be relatively high, and my doctor advised me to control my diet. I was wondering if I can eat shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) when having high blood sugar?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Patients with high blood sugar can consume shepherd's purse. As a common wild vegetable, shepherd's purse has high nutritional value, rich in dietary fiber, various vitamins, and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and iron. For patients with high blood sugar, shepherd's purse is a good food choice. Specifically, the dietary fiber in shepherd's purse can enhance satiety and reduce the intake of other foods, which helps control blood sugar levels. In addition, shepherd's purse has a low glycemic index, and moderate consumption will not cause significant fluctuations in blood sugar. It should be noted that if patients are allergic to shepherd's purse, they should avoid consuming it to prevent allergic reactions. Moreover, due to the presence of a certain amount of oxalic acid in shepherd's purse, it is not advisable to consume it together with foods high in calcium, to avoid the formation of calcium oxalate precipitate, which may affect nutrient absorption. Therefore, it is recommended to blanch shepherd's purse appropriately before consumption to reduce its oxalic acid content.