While you eat, your body breaks down food into blood sugar molecules called glucose. The glucose is absorbed into your bloodstream after eating, signaling your pancreas to release insulin that allows glucose to fuel your cells. If you have hypoglycemia, your blood sugar is low, which can result in confusion, vision problems, anxiety and sweating. The diet for each hypoglycemic person is different, but beets might help regulate blood sugar and reduce low blood sugar symptoms.
Food and Hypoglycemia
If you have hypoglycemia, it is important to follow your doctor's instructions for your diet. Your doctor will likely expect you to eat regularly in order to help maintain your blood sugar levels and might suggest that you follow a low glycemic index diet. The lower a food's glycemic index, the less it affects blood sugar and insulin levels. Beets have a moderate glycemic index.
Beets and Blood Sugar Benefits
According to the University of Illinois Extension, beets are high in fiber, which can help keep your blood sugar levels on track. One cup of cooked beets contains 1.5 g of fiber as well as 1.5 g of protein, which also is helpful for keeping blood sugar levels under control. Beets are a naturally sweet vegetable, which can reduce your cravings for sweets that can affect your blood sugar levels.
Other Benefits
Beets have many health benefits in addition to helping control blood sugar and hypoglycemia. Beet tops are high in vitamin A, which helps to keep your skin, eyes and tissues healthy. The roots are a good source of vitamin C, which can help boost your immune system, and beets also contain the antioxidant lipoic acid, which can help protect your body's cells and regulate blood sugar.
Choosing Beets
When choosing beets, look for those that are firm with the greens intact. They will last for about one week in the refrigerator. Before eating, wash them with the skin on. According to the American Diabetes Association, you can roast the beets in the oven and peel the skin off when they cool.
Recommendations
To help determine if beets or any other food is helping to regulate your hypoglycemia, The Hypoglycemia Support Foundation recommends that you keep an account of everything that you eat for one week and your symptoms during the day. Review the records with your doctor, who can help you determine which foods control your hypoglycemia best.
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