Do Apples Lower Blood Sugar? - Robinette's Apple Haus & Winery (2024)

Apples are chock full of health benefits, such as improving digestion and reducing the risk of heart disease. After all, there’s a reason for the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away!” While they provide so many nutritional benefits, apples are also high in fructose. This might leave you wondering if apples affect blood sugar, and if individuals with diabetes should avoid them.

Understanding Sugar: Sucrose vs. Glucose vs. Fructose

Sugar isn’t as simple as you would think, but we are going to break it down as simply as we can. If you think of white sugar when you think of sugar, that’s sucrose. Sucrose is actually made of half glucose and half fructose. Fructose and glucose are both naturally-occurring sugars, but they are found in different things and are processed very differently by our bodies.

Glucose is most commonly found in breads, rice, pasta, and starchy vegetables.

Fructose is most commonly found in fruits, including apples.

Glucose is processed throughout the entire body.

Fructose is processed primarily through the liver.

Glucose produces insulin, which raises blood sugar levels.

Fructose doesn’t produce insulin, and it very slowly raises blood sugar.

So, Do Apples Lower Blood Sugar?

Apples don’t lower blood sugar, but they don’t seem to raise it either. Because they are high in fructose, not glucose, they don’t impact insulin levels. Additionally, the naturally-occurring fiber in apples slows down the rate at which the fructose is released, making any impact on insulin even smaller.

Eating fruits like apples in their whole form reduces blood sugar spikes. On the other hand, consuming apples in other forms, like apple juice, has a totally different effect. This is because there is no fiber to counteract the fructose absorption in the body. If you are concerned about blood sugar levels (which we should all be aware of, diabetic or not), stick with whole fruits!

You can also make a habit of pairing a protein with every carb you eat, whether it is a full meal or a small snack. This will slow down your body’s absorption of sugar and help maintain balanced blood sugar levels.

Local Michigan Apples

Is it just us, or are you craving apples now? If you live in or near the Grand Rapids area, be sure to stop by Robinette’s for the best apples around! If you don’t live nearby, don’t worry. We’ll ship our local apples right to you!

Do Apples Lower Blood Sugar? - Robinette's Apple Haus & Winery (2024)

FAQs

Do Apples Lower Blood Sugar? - Robinette's Apple Haus & Winery? ›

Apples don't lower blood sugar, but they don't seem to raise it either. Because they are high in fructose, not glucose, they don't impact insulin levels.

What apples are good for lowering blood sugar? ›

Which apples are best for people with diabetes? Although red apples taste sweeter, green apples contain less sugar, more fiber, and more antioxidants. They also lower blood sugar levels, which is crucial for people living with diabetes.

Which apple is lowest in sugar? ›

Green apples, like Granny Smiths, are more tart and generally have less sugar than other kinds of apples. The amount is not significant enough to make a difference other than in taste, says Crumble Smith. Granny Smith apples have about 9.6 grams of sugar per 100 grams; Fuji apples have a little less than 12 grams.

What fruit does not raise blood sugar? ›

Strawberries and raspberries.

As sweet as they taste, strawberries contain the lowest amount of sugar per serving. Research shows they help the body better use insulin, lowering the amount needed to manage your blood sugar after a meal. Raspberries are also loaded with fiber and low in sugar.

Can diabetics eat apples at night? ›

If you are feeling a bit hungry, apples are a great low GI snack. Low GI foods like apples may help regulate blood sugar levels and improve sleep quality.

Can apples bring your sugar down? ›

Eating apples on a regular basis has the potential to reduce insulin resistance, which should lead to lower blood sugar levels ( 7 , 12 ). This is because the polyphenols in apples, which are found primarily in apple skin, stimulate your pancreas to release insulin and help your cells take in sugar ( 2 , 7 ).

How many apples can a diabetic eat a day? ›

Eating lots of fruits and vegetables is important, especially for diabetics. Apples contain sugar, but are also high in fiber, so 4 apples a day would probably not increase your blood sugar adversely.

What fruit has the lowest sugar? ›

Low-sugar fruits include:
  1. Strawberries. Strawberries, like many other berries, are often high in fiber and contain very little sugar. ...
  2. Peaches. Although they taste sweet, a medium sized peach only contains around 13 g of sugar .
  3. Blackberries. ...
  4. Lemons and limes. ...
  5. Honeydew melon. ...
  6. Oranges. ...
  7. Grapefruit. ...
  8. Avocados.

Is an apple a day too much sugar? ›

Since fiber (usually found in a fruit's peel) drastically slows the digestion of sugar, eating an apple probably won't lead to the same sugar spike as a rapidly digested candy bar or a can of sugary soda.

How many apples can you eat a day? ›

Eating two apples a day is good for heart health. You can eat any kind of apple, as long as you eat the peel. Apple peels contain many antioxidants that help fight cancer. Researchers suggest that it is best to get antioxidants from fruits and vegetables rather than from dietary supplements.

What is the one fruit that lowers blood sugar? ›

A study in Obesity found that as the number of raspberries eaten increased, insulin resistance decreased. Other studies suggest combining berries with or following starch-heavy meals can also lower blood sugar.

What fruit keeps your sugar below 100? ›

Although all fresh fruits make a healthy choice, certain fruits, like berries, avocados, citrus fruits, apples, and pomegranates, may offer specific health benefits for people with type 2 diabetes, such as improving post-meal blood sugar levels and lowering blood pressure.

What foods lower sugar immediately? ›

Although diet plays a major role in regulating your blood sugar levels, there are no specific foods that can bring down your blood sugar quickly.

What is the number one snack to lower blood sugar? ›

But there is one food that stands alone as the best snack for lower blood sugar: nuts. Nuts are delicious, nutritious and incredibly versatile as far as snack foods go. Plus, they can be stored at room temperature (or in the freezer for longer periods) and are great for grab-and-go snacks.

What to drink before bed to lower blood sugar? ›

Research suggests that consuming apple cider vinegar can slow the emptying of your stomach and hence prevent large spikes in blood sugar.

What should I eat if my sugar is high? ›

Foods with a low glycemic index (GI) may help people lower or manage their blood sugar levels. Examples include whole grains, nuts, legumes, some fruits, non-starchy vegetables, and lean proteins.

Are Honeycrisp apples good for diabetics? ›

Eating apples regularly has been shown to help reduce insulin resistance which in turn leads to lower blood sugar levels. This is because the polyphenols in apple peels help stimulate the pancreas to secrete insulin and help the body's cells absorb sugar.

What fruit is good for lowering blood sugar? ›

Berries. Don't make your trip to the store fruitless. Dad jokes aside, foods like blueberries provide fiber and antioxidants known to lower blood sugar and inflammation. Similarly, one study found strawberries reduced diabetes complications like kidney disease and nerve damage.

Are Gala apples good for diabetics? ›

Gala apples are a significant source of antioxidants, which may help lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer. They are a good source of vitamin C and dietary fiber.

Which apple is the healthiest, red or green? ›

There are indeed some nutritional differences between red and green apples, but the health difference is negligible. If we look into their nutritional value then green apples are healthier than the red apple. But if you want to increase the intake of antioxidants then include red apples in your diet.

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