We all have heard about the fact how jamun seeds are useful for diabetic patients. Jamun seed powder is also known as Black plum powder. So today in this blog, we will be analyzing whether we should consume jamun seeds powder in diabetes or not.
If you are trying to add any food to the diabetes reversal diet, you should always do a proper analysis of the food item. Likewise, we will be analyzing the nutritional value, PFf value, and glycemic load of Jamun seed powder for diabetic patients.
Nutritional value of jamun seed powder
I went through the entire internet but couldn’t find the exact Nutritional value of jamun seed powder. After analyzing research papers and google books I finally reached an estimation of the nutritional value of jamun seed powder.
- Carbohydrates – 60%
- Protein – 2-3%
- Fat – 1-2%
- Fiber – 2-3%
- Presence of a large number of phytonutrients (approximately 20-25)
PFf value of Jamun seed powder
PFf value is also known as the protein, fat, and fiber value. The PFf value should be more than 50 to be considered great for health.
But as we see in jamun seed powder the PFf value equals 8 (3+2+3). So, jamun seed powder does not show so much value in the case of diabetes.
The glycemic load of Jamun seed powder
The formula for finding The glycemic load is
Glycemic load (in 100gm)= (Glycemic index of the food x total carbs)/100
So if we apply the values of jamun seed powder
The glycemic load of 100gm Jamun seed powder = (45 x 60)/100
The glycemic index of 100gm Jamun seed powder comes around 27, which is slightly on the higher side.
After analyzing the nutritional value, PFf value, and glycemic load of Jamun seed powder, we come to a conclusion that we should not eat Jamun seed powder during diabetes.
BUT,
All of the above values are measured for 100grams of Jamun seed powder. But, we are never going to take 100 grams of this powder regularly. Rather only 3-4 grams of Jamun seed powder is enough. So it can be considered safe for diabetic patients.
But only this analysis is not enough to prove that Jamun seed powder is good for diabetic patients. To analyze further we need to see the therapeutic uses of Jamun seed powder.
Therapeutic uses of Jamun seed powder
- A great cure for cancer
- A cure for fever
- Cures inflammation
- Great for oral health
- Boosts heart functioning
- Manages diabetes
How jamun seed powder helps in diabetes?
To understand the work of the active ingredient of Jamun seed powder, we need to understand the carbohydrate digestion system.
The carbohydrate digestion process
When you are eating any carbohydrate the carbohydrate digestion starts from the mouth itself. When we are chewing any food item the salivary gland produces saliva which in turn produces the salivary amylase enzyme.
The salivary amylase starts breaking down the food in the mouth itself and starts producing glucose by breaking down the carbohydrates, which in turn mixes with the blood.
Then the food is transferred to the stomach. Protein Digestion in the stomach takes place but the stomach does not play a major role in digesting carbohydrates.
Then the food is transferred to the small intestine and the major digestion of fat, protein, and carbohydrate takes place here itself. The enzymes responsible for this digestion come from the pancreas. The pancreas is responsible for the production of 3 important enzymes required for digestion.
- Lipase helps in the digestion of fat
- Protease helps in the digestion of protein
- Amylase helps in the digestion of carbohydrates
The enzyme pancreatic amylase is responsible for breaking down the carbohydrates into glucose which then mixes with the blood and thus increases the blood sugar level in the blood.
The active ingredient powder found in Jamun seed powder acts as an amylase inhibitor as it gets stuck with the pancreatic amylase enzyme and does not allow it to work properly. When the amylase enzyme does not work properly the carbohydrate digestion also does not occur properly. This undigested carbohydrate proceeds further to the large intestine and colon.
So, as the entire digestion of carbohydrates does not take place there is less glucose transferred to the blood. As a result, we should consume Jamun seed powder for the reduction of blood sugar levels in the body.
Side effects of eating jamun seed powder for diabetic patient
As we clearly mentioned with proper research how Jamun seed powder helps in reducing blood sugar levels in the body by not allowing the amylase enzyme to work properly. This also has side effects
- Flatulence in stomach
- Acidity
- Gas in the stomach
So should we consume jamun seed powder if we are diabetic?
In my opinion, we can consume jamun seed powder because it directly does not have any impact on insulin.
This can be used as a tool to lower the glycemic load because it slows down the carbohydrate digestion process. In the case of diabetes, jamun seed powder can be considered safe and good.
But this is your call entirely as you have already seen the mechanism of action as well as the side effects related to Jamun seed powder for diabetic patients. Always don’t forget to consult your doctor before the introduction of any food in your diabetes reversal diet.
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