[This content is a story-based medical science article, please read it rationally, and do not sit down]
"Doctor, how can I get diabetes? I usually like to eat corn, and I heard that corn can lower blood sugar! "
Uncle Li sat in my consultation room with a puzzled expression, clutching the examination report he had just gotten in his hand. As a senior endocrinologist, I have seen too many patients like Uncle Li. They are often confident in their eating habits, but they have unknowingly stepped into the trap of diabetes.
"Uncle Li, don't worry. Let's start by talking about your usual eating habits. I said gently, noting it in my medical notebook.
Uncle Li scratched his head and began to babble: "I, I can pay attention to my health." A bowl of polenta every morning, a tortilla at noon, and sometimes some corn whisker tea in the evening. I heard that this is good for the body and can lower blood sugar! "
When I heard this, I couldn't help but wonder. What a typical misunderstanding! I decided to teach Uncle Li a good lesson and correct his misconception of the relationship between corn and blood sugar.
"Uncle Li, your intentions are good, but I am afraid there is some misunderstanding about the relationship between corn and blood sugar." I gently put down the pen and looked directly into Uncle Li's eyes, "Corn is indeed a nutritious food, but it does not directly lower blood sugar. On the contrary, if you consume too much, it may cause blood sugar to rise. "
Uncle Li's eyes widened, and his expression was incredulous: "How is this possible?" I've heard that corn is rich in dietary fiber, which can help control blood sugar! "
I smiled and nodded, "You're right, corn is indeed rich in dietary fiber. But we can't ignore that corn also contains a lot of starch. These starches are broken down into glucose in the body, which leads to an increase in blood sugar. "
Looking at Uncle Li's suddenly realized expression, I continued to explain: "The glycemic index (GI) of corn is above average, about 55-60. This means that after eating corn, blood sugar rises relatively quickly. For people who already have diabetes or are at risk of diabetes, excessive consumption of corn may worsen the condition. "
Uncle Li was stunned when he heard this, obviously not fully digesting this information. I decided to explain it with a more vivid metaphor: "You can think of corn as a double-edged sword. Its dietary fiber does help stabilize blood sugar, but at the same time its starch content can also raise blood sugar. It's all about balancing the two. "
"Didn't I eat so much corn for nothing?" Uncle Li said with annoyance.
I smiled and shook my head: "I can't say the same, corn still has a lot of benefits." It is rich in B vitamins, vitamin E, minerals and antioxidants, which are beneficial for good health. The key is to eat it in moderation and with other foods. "
Seeing Uncle Li's thoughtful look, I felt it was time to give him some practical advice: "Uncle Li, instead of relying solely on corn, let's talk about foods that really help control blood sugar." "
I pulled a food list out of a drawer, pointed to it, and said, "Here are four foods that have been proven by scientific studies to help control blood sugar." "
Uncle Li immediately came to his senses and approached to look at the list carefully. I'll start with the introductions one by one:
"The first is bitter melon. Bitter melon contains a substance called 'bitter melon', which is able to increase the sensitivity of cells to insulin, which helps lower blood sugar. However, the bitter gourd flavor does challenge the taste buds, and you can try using it to scramble eggs or make soups. "
Uncle Li frowned: "Bitter gourd, I've heard of it, but I think it's too bitter." "
I smiled and comforted, "Don't worry, just get used to it." Besides, for the sake of health, it's worth putting up with the bitterness. "
"The second is green tea. The catechins in green tea not only have antioxidant effects, but they also help regulate blood sugar levels. You can drink several cups of green tea a day to quench your thirst and maintain your health. "
Uncle Li's eyes lit up: "I love tea!" I used to drink corn whisker tea, but now I drink green tea, killing two birds with one stone! "
I nodded and continued, "The third is beans. Legumes are rich in protein and dietary fiber, which can release sugar slowly and help stabilize blood sugar. You can eat more tofu, soybeans, mung beans, etc. "
"The last one is whole grains. The dietary fiber and minerals in whole grains can help control blood sugar. You can choose whole-grain bread, brown rice, oats, etc., instead of refined carbs. "
Uncle Li nodded again and again when he heard this, but suddenly made a mistake again: "Doctor, these foods are very good, but I still can't bear the corn." Is it true that you can't eat anything at all? "
I smiled and shook my head: "Uncle Li, I didn't say you can't eat corn. The key is to have the right amount and mix it appropriately. For example, you can eat corn with vegetables or protein to slow down the absorption of starch and help control blood sugar. "
"And," I add, "the way the corn is eaten is also important." Cooked corn is better than corn flour or corn chips because whole corn is slower to digest and doesn't give blood sugar a sharp spike. "
Uncle Li listened and breathed a sigh of relief: "So that's the case." I thought I had to say goodbye to corn for good. "
I laughed and said, "Medicine and nutrition are never black and white. It is important to eat a balanced diet with a reasonable mix. You can do this later: you can have some whole wheat bread with green tea for breakfast, a moderate amount of corn with tofu and vegetables for lunch, and some bitter gourd soup for dinner. This allows you to enjoy your meal and control your blood sugar. "
After listening to this, Uncle Li's eyes flashed with hope: "Doctor, thank you!" I finally understood that blood sugar control is not based on a single food, but a comprehensive consideration. "
I nodded with satisfaction: "That's right, Uncle Li." Healthy eating habits need to be adhered to over the long term, and you can't leave anything to chance. Now that you've taken an important step, I'm sure you'll be able to control your blood sugar well as long as you follow the methods we've discussed. "
Before leaving, Uncle Li shook my hand and said gratefully, "Doctor, I really learned today." I will never blindly believe in 'home remedies' in the future, and I will definitely follow the scientific method to regulate my body." "
Looking at the back of Uncle Li's departure, I can't help but sigh: in this era of information explosion, there are too many rumors and misunderstandings about health circulating. As a doctor, our responsibility is not only to treat diseases, but also to help patients develop the right concept of health.
Corn is indeed a nutritious food, but it is not a panacea for blood sugar control. Truly effective blood sugar management requires a balanced diet, moderate exercise, and a scientific lifestyle. I hope that everyone can be like Uncle Li, continue to learn, keep adjusting, and finally find their own way to health.
After all, a healthy life is the most wonderful life.