Can people with diabetes consume aged tangerine peel and lemon paste?

During summer, people often drink tangerine peel and lemon tea. However, tangerine peel and lemon paste sometimes contains high amounts of sugar. So, can people with diabetes consume tangerine peel and lemon paste?

Can people with diabetes consume tangerine peel and lemon paste?

Individuals with diabetes may drink tangerine peel infusion (chen pi shui). The primary reason is that tangerine peel has a relatively low sugar content and helps promote digestion and strengthen the spleen. Therefore, people with diabetes may consume tangerine peel infusion in moderation. Tangerine peel has low sugar content: it is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb made from dried tangerine or orange peel. Although it contains polysaccharides, its overall sugar content remains low—making moderate consumption of tangerine peel infusion safe for individuals with diabetes. Lemons are rich in vitamin C, which helps maintain skin elasticity. Lemon paste also possesses antitussive properties and supports digestive health, potentially helping to lower blood glucose and lipid levels. However, individuals with well-controlled blood glucose should avoid consuming tangerine peel and lemon paste, as it may adversely affect glycemic control.

Tangerine peel aids digestion and strengthens the spleen: As a commonly used traditional Chinese medicinal herb, tangerine peel promotes spleen function and regulates Qi flow. Some individuals with diabetes experience impaired spleen and stomach function, but limonin—a compound found in tangerine peel—can stimulate digestive fluid secretion, thereby helping alleviate related symptoms to some extent.

Therefore, people with diabetes may consume tangerine peel and lemon paste—but only in moderation. Effective blood glucose management primarily relies on dietary control and regular physical activity. In addition to non-pharmacological interventions, patients must strictly follow their physician’s instructions regarding medication use; self-medicating or discontinuing prescribed medications without medical supervision may lead to poor glycemic control and cause more severe organ damage. We hope this article has been helpful. Wishing you a joyful life and good health!