Can eating sweet potatoes lower blood sugar levels for people with diabetes?

Aug 19, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

I am 50 years old and have diabetes. I generally enjoy eating sweet potatoes. May I ask if eating sweet potatoes can help lower blood sugar levels in diabetes?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Feng

Diabetic patients cannot lower blood sugar by eating sweet potatoes. Although sweet potatoes are rich in dietary fiber and have a relatively low glycemic index, they contain starch, which can raise blood sugar levels after consumption. Boiled red-skinned sweet potatoes have a glycemic index of 76.7, classifying them as high-glycemic-index foods.

Sweet potatoes themselves contain a certain amount of carbohydrates, and excessive consumption may also lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Therefore, diabetic patients should control their intake when including sweet potatoes in their diet. Sweet potatoes can be consumed in moderation by diabetic patients but cannot replace medical treatment. When consuming sweet potatoes, diabetic patients should pay attention to portion control and include their caloric content in the total daily caloric intake to avoid exceeding daily caloric limits. At the same time, diabetic patients also need to control blood sugar levels through multiple methods, including medication, diet, and exercise.

It is recommended that patients follow medical advice and arrange their dietary structure reasonably based on their health condition and blood sugar control status.