Eating dried cranberries every day to prevent urinary tract infection causes blood sugar to soar and weight to get out of control? Doctor: The murderer is "this"

Dried cranberries are popular among women because of their “urinary tract health” image, but are they really a “healthy snack”? A 45-year-old female office worker is used to eating dried cranberries after meals to "maintain her body". Her weight has continued to increase over the past five years, and her BMI has reached 32 (moderate obesity). The year-end health check-up showed that her fasting blood sugar was as high as 115 mg/dL (normal range: 60~100 mg/dL). She originally thought it was a metabolic problem caused by the upcoming menopause, but after consulting internal medicine and weight loss specialist Dr. Chen Weilong, she discovered that the culprit was the dried cranberries she ate every day!

Dr. Chen Wei-long pointed out that the patient would grab a handful of dried cranberries after meals every day, and even carry them with him when he went out on business, believing that it was a "healthy and convenient" snack. However, not only was her fasting blood sugar high, but her blood sugar after meals also soared to 185 mg/dL (normal value 60 mg/dL~139 mg/dL), which was a sign of prediabetes. Long-term consumption of excessive dried fruits may be one of the important factors.

Why does consuming too much dried fruit affect blood sugar? Dr. Chen Weilong explained that natural cranberries are rich in proanthocyanidins (PACs), polyphenols and vitamins. According to a 2017 study by the National Institutes of Health, daily intake of more than 36 mg of proanthocyanidins can effectively prevent urinary tract infections. However, natural cranberries are sour and difficult to eat, so commercially available dried cranberries usually contain a lot of sugar and sunflower oil to improve the taste and preserve the freshness. "Although processed dried fruits are concentrated in nutrients, the calories are also greatly increased." Excessive intake will not only cause weight and blood sugar to get out of control, but may also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes.

Dr. Chen Wei-Lung emphasized that both fresh fruits and dried fruits have nutritional value, and the key should be "moderation". Although the dietary fiber and mineral content of dried fruits is much higher than that of fruits of the same weight, they have higher calories and are often high in sugar, sodium and preservatives, so you need to pay special attention to the food ingredient labels.

Dr. Chen Wei-Lung emphasized that both fresh fruits and dried fruits have nutritional value, and the key should be "moderation". Although the dietary fiber and mineral content of dried fruits is much higher than that of fruits of the same weight, they have higher calories and are often high in sugar, sodium and preservatives, so you need to pay special attention to the food ingredient labels.

Even fresh fruits with a low GI can become a "sugar bomb" if consumed in excess or in the wrong order. People who need to control their weight or have large fluctuations in blood sugar should be more careful.

Dr. Chen Weilong finally reminded that healthy snacks should be chosen carefully so that diet can truly become a health aid rather than a health burden! If you have paid attention to the type and amount of food you consume but your weight or blood sugar is still abnormal, it is recommended that you seek professional medical assistance for evaluation.