juices for diabetes
Diabetes Management

7 Must-Drink Juices for People with Diabetes! 

Blog
Summary:

Consumption of juices is quite beneficial for people with diabetes. You can consume Karela juice, carrot juice, neem juice, kale juice, for managing your diabetes better. All these juices are rich in nutrients which help keep blood sugar in control naturally.

Whether you’re looking to lower glucose levels, improve insulin sensitivity, or support overall wellness, each of these diabetic juices have different benefit which makes it a must addition to your diet. Align it with a healthy lifestyle for better results.

In diabetes, your dietary choices significantly influence your future health. The foods and beverages you consume daily have a profound effect on your body. Sometimes it becomes tough to decide what to have and what to avoid, as people with diabetes are often unaware of it.

Be it food or drinks, having a healthy diet is crucial for avoiding spikes in sugar levels. During such times, it’s generally advised to consume drinks and juices that have a low glycemic index (GI) and are rich in essential nutrients, which prevents the rapid spikes in blood sugar levels.

In this blog ahead, we’ll share 7 of the best juices for diabetes. Making it an essential part of your routine will help you stay stress-free and healthy despite the challenges.  

Add These 7 Juices to Manage Diabetes & High BP!

Here is a list of some of the healthiest drinks considered quite effective for people who experience difficulty in controlling frequent sugar spikes. These are drinks with low sugar intake and provide the body with essential nutrients that keep your sugar in control.  So, if you are looking for healthy diabetic juices for your diet, then keep reading. 

1. Carrot Juice

carrot juice

Carrot juice, being a low glycemic index (GI) drink, is considered to be beneficial for diabetes. It’s rich in such nutrients, which makes it a valuable addition to a diabetic diet. It is also considered a good source of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure.

The risk of getting heart-related disease is high in diabetes. However, by strengthening the body’s immune system, it keeps the heart healthy and stronger, away from diseases. 

Nutritional Value of Carrot Juice 

NutrientAmount 
Calories40 kcal
Protein0.95 g
Fat0.15 g
Carbohydrates9.28 g
Sugars4.74 g
Dietary Fiber0.8 g
VitaminsVitamin A (as β-carotene)- 2805 µgNiacin (Vitamin B3)- 0.3 mgRiboflavin (Vitamin B2)- 0.1 mg
MineralsPotassium- 180 mgMagnesium- 12 mgIron- 0.3 mgCopper- 0.1 mgManganese- 0.14 mg
CholesterolNIL 

How to Make Healthy Carrot Juice at Home? 

Take these ingredients: 

  • Take 2–3 chopped carrots 
  • Small piece of ginger 
  • ½ lemon or amla
  • ½ cup water
  • Pinch of cinnamon or black salt 

Method of preparation:

  • Blend all the above ingredients till smooth.
  • Now strain it
  • Serve it fresh.

2. Jamun Juice (Indian Blackberry)

jamun juice

Jamun juice is a healthy diabetes juice made from the fruit of the Syzygium cumini tree. The seeds of Jamun contain compounds like ellagic acid and jambolana that help convert starch into sugar, helping to prevent sugar spikes. 

Jamun juice has antioxidants that reduce inflammation and improve the body’s immune system. Its low glycerine index helps with weight management

Nutritional Value of Jamun Juice 

NutrientAmount 
Total Sugars11.6%
Reducing Sugars9.68%
Total Polyphenols203.76 mg/g (GAE)
Anthocyanins195.58 mg/100g
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)15.3 mg/100 mL
Iron4.66–33.2 mg
Magnesium27.13–166.7 mg
Potassium172.4–358.5 mg
Zinc0.46–1.215 mg

How to Make Healthy Jamun Juice at Home? 

Take these ingredients: 

  • Fresh Jamun berries
  • Water
  • Sweetener (like honey or stevia, optional)

Method of preparation:

  • Blend the berries with water to extract jamun juice. 
  • Now strain it to remove the seeds, and add sweetener if desired
  • Serve it chilled and fresh 

3. Neem Juice

neem juice

Neem juice, being made of natural neem leaves, has various benefits for people with diabetes. It helps to reduce fasting and post-meal glucose levels naturally and enhances the body’s ability to utilise insulin more effectively. 

Sugar cravings can be hard to control during diabetes. However, neem juice helps to control it effortlessly. It also fights inflammation and oxidative stress commonly experienced during this condition. 

Nutritional Value of Neem Juice

Nutrient Amount 
Energy20-30 kcal
Protein1-2 g
Total Sugars1–3 g
Vitamin C35.51 µg RE

How to Make Fresh Neem Juice at Home? 

Take these ingredients:

  • 10–15 fresh neem leaves
  • ½ cup water
  • 1–2 tulsi (basil) leaves 
  • A few drops of lemon juice 

Method of preparation:

  • Take some neem leaves and wash them thoroughly.
  • Blend it with tulsi leaves and add water until smooth.
  • Strain its juice using a fine sieve.
  • Add lemon juice to it to balance the bitterness.
  • Prefer drinking on an empty stomach.

Recommended Juice for Diabetic Patients

Dr Madhu Amrit Kit Dr Madhu Amrit Kit | Neem Karela Jamun Juice

4. Kale Juice 

kale juice

Kale juice is made of kale, a vegetable also known as leaf cabbage or borecole. It is rich in various antioxidants such as vitamin C, flavonoids, and beta-carotene, making it a healthy diabetic juice. All these antioxidants together help calm down the stress commonly experienced during diabetes. 

The soluble fibre in this vegetable also helps keep diabetes in control by regulating blood sugar levels naturally and promoting steady absorption of glucose. It also helps reduce the risks associated with diabetes, such as fatty liver and heart disease.

Nutritional Value of Kale Juice

Nutrient Amount 
Calories49 kcal
Total Fat0.9 g
Sodium38 mg
Potassium491 mg
Total Carbohydrates9 g
Protein4.3 g
Citric Acid2.213 g
Malic Acid0.151 g

How to Make Healthy Kale Juice at Home? 

Take these ingredients:

  • 2 cups fresh kale
  • 1/2 apple (optional)
  • 1/2 lemon (optional)
  • 1 cup cold water

Method of preparation:

  • Take kale, remove its stem, and wash it thoroughly
  • Now cut the apple and lemon.
  • Prepare kale Juice by blending kale, apple, lemon, and water in a juicer
  • Strain it out and serve it
  • Serve it chilled by adding some ice cubes 

5. Amla Juice 

amla juice

Amla is a well-known Ayurvedic superfood that offers various health benefits. It is a beneficial juice for diabetes as it supports healthy insulin production, providing a notable reduction in Hba1c levels, and indicating improved long-term glycemic control. ​

It also reduces the risk of cardiovascular complications associated with sugar.​The Vitamin C in Amla helps combat oxidative stress.

Nutritional Value of Amla Juice 

NutrientAmount
Vitamin C478.56 mg
Carbohydrates3.4 g
Protein0.5 g 
Fat0.1 g 
Energy20 KCAL

How to Make Healthy Amla Juice at Home 

Take these ingredients:

  • 4–5 pieces of fresh amla 
  • 1 cup water
  • Pinch of black salt (optional)
  • A few drops of lemon juice (optional)

Method of preparation:

  • Wash and deseed the amla.
  • Chop it into small pieces.
  • Blend with 1 cup water until smooth.
  • Strain using a fine sieve or muslin cloth.
  • Now add black salt or lemon (optional).
  • Serve fresh
  • Prefer to take on an empty stomach.

6. Karela Juice 

karela juice

Karela juice is known for its ability to lower blood sugar. It contains certain compounds such as charantin and polypeptide-p that mimic insulin. It also improves insulin sensitivity and helps in natural detoxification and weight management. 

Nutritional Value of Karela Juice

NutrientAmount
Carbohydrates3.7 g
Protein1.0 g
Fat0.2 g
Fibre2.8 g
Vitamin C84 mg
Vitamin A471 IU
Calcium19 mg
Iron0.43 mg
Potassium296 mg
Folate72 µg
Calories17 kcal

How to Make Karela Juice at Home?  

Method of preparation:

  • Wash and slice 1-2 karela, removing seeds.
  • Add karela slices and 1 glass of water to a blender. 
  • Blend until smooth.
  • Strain it and make a smoother juice.
  • Serve it chilled and add lemon, salt, or ginger for taste.

7. Spinach Juice

spinach juice

Spinach is low in calories and high in fibre. Its fibre constituent helps slow down the digestion of sugars, thus preventing sharp spikes after meals.

Studies show that antioxidants in spinach juice improve the body’s response to oxidative stress caused by diabetes. It’s also a good source of vitamins and minerals like folate, which supports the body’s metabolic functions.

Nutritional Value of Spinach Juice

NutrientAmount per 100g
Crude Fiber4.55 g
Protein0.052 g
Carbohydrates61.95 g
Oils & Fats0.72 g
Vitamin A0.02685 mg
Vitamin C0.01966 mg

How to Make Spinach Juice at Home? 

Take these ingredients:

  • 1 cup fresh spinach leaves 
  • ½ cup water 
  • 1 tsp lemon juice (optional) 
  • 1 small piece of ginger (optional, for flavour and digestion)

Method of preparation:

  • Add the spinach, water, and optional ingredients to a blender.
  • Blend it until smooth.
  • Strain if you prefer a clear juice (optional).
  • Serve it fresh.

Conclusion 

Juices are the best addition to the diet for people with diabetes. Their consumption not only helps regulate blood sugar levels but also contributes positively to overall health. Therefore, it is advisable to choose fresh, homemade juices without added sugars and to combine them with a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle for optimal outcomes. Remember, when it comes to managing your blood sugar the natural way, nothing beats the benefits of a good lifestyle and diabetic juices. 

References

  1. Siddiqui SA, Khan MA, Wani AB, Aaliya I, Dar MA, Mir MM, et al. Nutritional profile and potential health benefits of superfoods: A review. ResearchGate. 2021. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353934206_Nutritional_Profile_and_Potential_Health_Benefits_of_Super_Foods_A_Review
  2. Varghese G, Moothedath S. Medicinal values of neem – A review. Int J Green Pharm. 2020;14(3):218–221. Available from: https://www.greenpharmacy.info/index.php/ijgp/article/view/1125/0
  3. Prakash D, Gupta C. Therapeutic potential of Indian gooseberry (Amla). Global Research Online. 2013;24(2):147–152. Available from: https://globalresearchonline.net/journalcontents/v24-2/25.pdf
  4. Okpala OC, Ezeonu FC. Micronutrient composition of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf and the impact of its supplementation on weanling rats. Direct Res J Agric Food Sci. 2020;8(7):265–270. Available from: https://www.ajol.info/index.php/drjafs/article/view/micronutrient

Dr. Pooja Verma is a dedicated General Ayurvedic Physician with a BAMS degree. Passionate about holistic health, she specializes in designing customized treatment plans blending it with traditional principles of Ayurveda and modern and current health practices.