Upon first glance you may think that the ingredients mixed together are 'yuk', but the mango and pineapple disguise the silverbeet taste quite nicely, and the whole glass is yummo!  But aside from whether it tastes good or not, how do these ingredients help us diabetics?

 

Silverbeet or Swiss Chard, it seems, is an awesome vegetable to consume because it contains an antioxidant called alpha-lipoic acid.  According to 'MedicalNewsToday', alpha-lipoic acid lowers blood sugar levels whilst increasing insulin sensitivity.  Research has also shown that this antioxidant helps to reduce the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy (damage to our nerves), and it may also help to protect against retinopathy (damage to blood vessels in our eyes).

 

Mango, believe it or not, is a very good fruit for us diabetics to consume - even though it has a medium GI (glycemic index) value of around 55.  Mango contain compounds like polyphenol, triterpene and lupeol, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.  Studies have shown that these properties help to lower blood sugar levels and reduce cholesterol build-up inside the walls of our blood vessels. 

 

Even though pineapple has a medium GI (glycemic index) of 66, the fibre content in this fruit, is enough to release its energy slowly into our bloodstream.  This is good news for us diabetics as we are able to eat this fruit in moderation.

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So there you have it my diabetic friends, three more fruits and vegetables to add to our diabetic-friendly list.  My sister and I really enjoyed this green smoothie and we hope you will too.

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If you would like to join us by trying these tasty recipes, why not purchase a copy of my eBook 'Stamp Out Diabetes in your Life - 30-day Menu' today, you won't be disappointed.

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Until next week 😍

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Cheers

Amelia Robinson