Can diabetics eat highland barley flour?

Nov 28, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

After being diagnosed with diabetes, the doctor recommended consuming more grains. May I ask if diabetic patients can eat highland barley flour?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi

Diabetes patients need to pay special attention to the amount and type of carbohydrates in their diet in order to control blood sugar levels. As a whole grain food with a relatively low glycemic index (GI value), moderate consumption of highland barley flour can be beneficial for diabetes patients.

1. As a coarse grain, highland barley flour contains dietary fiber that can delay the digestion and absorption process, helping to stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce insulin demand. At the same time, it can increase satiety and assist in weight management, which is particularly important for diabetes patients.

2. Components in highland barley flour such as beta-glucan have certain therapeutic effects on hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia. This indicates that highland barley flour may have potential positive impacts on the condition of diabetes patients.

3. Diabetes patients should limit their daily consumption of highland barley flour to about 40 grams to avoid excessive gastrointestinal burden and potential indigestion. Moreover, since highland barley flour is relatively difficult to digest, patients with gastrointestinal disorders should consume it cautiously.

Despite its high nutritional value, diabetes patients still need to properly control the intake of highland barley flour to avoid excessive carbohydrate consumption, which may lead to blood sugar fluctuations.