Metformin is a commonly used medicine for type 2 diabetes. It helps control blood sugar levels and makes insulin work better in the body. It also lowers the amount of sugar made by the liver. People taking Metformin need to be careful about their diet.
In this article, we will talk about top 3 foods to avoid while taking Metformin and eating habits that might stop Metformin from working well to control blood sugar. Understanding these interactions can help people choose the right foods and have better results in managing diabetes and staying healthy. Let’s find out which foods to be careful about when taking Metformin to get the best results and improve diabetes management.
Contents
How Metformin Works?
Metformin is a medicine used to help people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar levels. It works in a few different ways:
Reducing Glucose Production: Normally, the liver makes sugar even when there is already too much in the blood. Metformin tells the liver to slow down making extra sugar, which helps lower blood sugar levels.
Enhancing Insulin Sensitivity: Insulin is a hormone that helps our cells take in sugar from the blood. In type 2 diabetes, the cells don’t respond well to insulin. Metformin helps the cells become more sensitive to insulin, so they can use sugar properly.
Decreasing Intestinal Glucose Absorption: After we eat, our intestines absorb sugar from our food and release it into the blood. Metformin can lower this process a bit, which also helps lower blood sugar.
Impact on Gut Hormones: Metformin might have an effect on hormones in our gut, which can also help with controlling blood sugar.
Read next: Top 10 Tips for Nutrition Tip Tuesday
Foods to Avoid While on Metformin
When you take Metformin, be careful about what you eat. This will help the medicine work well and prevent any problems. Here are some foods and drinks you should either avoid or have only a little of while taking Metformin:
1. High-Glycemic Carbohydrates
High-glycemic carbohydrates are foods that cause a rapid increase in blood sugar levels when consumed. These types of carbohydrates are quickly digested and absorbed, leading to a spike in glucose levels. When taking Metformin, it’s essential to avoid or minimize the intake of high-glycemic carbohydrates to prevent sudden surges in blood sugar levels, as this can counteract the medication’s effects.
Sugary Foods and Beverages: Foods high in added sugars like candies, cookies, cakes, pastries, sugary cereals, and sweetened beverages (sodas, energy drinks, fruit juices) should be avoided. These items can cause a rapid increase in blood glucose levels, making it challenging to regulate blood sugar effectively.
White Bread and Refined Grains: Foods made from refined grains, such as white bread, white rice, and pasta, are considered high-glycemic and can cause a spike in blood sugar levels. Opt for whole-grain alternatives like whole wheat bread, brown rice, and whole-grain pasta, which have a lower glycemic index.
Potatoes and Root Vegetables: Starchy vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, and parsnips have a higher glycemic index and can affect blood sugar levels. If you consume these vegetables, do so in moderate portions and balance them with non-starchy vegetables.
Sweet Fruits: Some fruits, such as watermelon, pineapple, and ripe bananas, have a higher sugar content and can lead to rapid increases in blood sugar. Instead, choose lower-sugar fruits like berries, apples, and citrus fruits.
2. High-Fat Foods
When you are taking Metformin, it’s important to pay attention to the foods you eat. Some foods can interact with the medicine and make it work less effectively. One type of food to be careful with is high-fat foods. It’s best to eat them in small amounts or not eat them at all. Let me explain why:
Delayed Absorption: While there is no direct interaction between Metformin and dietary fats, a meal high in fat can slow down the absorption of the medication in the gastrointestinal tract. This delay may lead to fluctuations in blood sugar levels, making it challenging to manage diabetes effectively.
Reduced Effectiveness: When Metformin is not adequately absorbed due to high-fat intake, its ability to lower blood glucose levels may be compromised. Consistently consuming high-fat foods with Metformin can hinder its therapeutic effects, potentially leading to inadequate blood sugar control.
Gastrointestinal Upset: Metformin is known to cause gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps, especially during the initial stages of treatment. Consuming high-fat foods may exacerbate these side effects, making them more uncomfortable and bothersome.
Examples of high-fat foods to limit or avoid while on Metformin include fried foods (like French fries and fried chicken), fatty cuts of meat, full-fat dairy products, rich sauces and dressings, and heavily processed snacks with high-fat content.
3. Avoid Alcohol
Drinking alcohol can greatly affect how the body handles medications like Metformin. Metformin is a widely used medicine for controlling type 2 diabetes. It works by lowering the liver’s glucose production and enhancing insulin sensitivity. If alcohol and Metformin are taken at the same time, they can interact in various ways and have different effects on the body.
Increased risk of lactic acidosis: Drink alcohol with Metformin can raise the chances of getting lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis is a rare but very serious condition where too much lactic acid builds up in the blood. Both alcohol and Metformin can separately cause this buildup, and when taken together, the risk becomes even higher. It’s crucial to avoid this combination to stay safe and healthy.
Impaired liver function: When you consume alcohol and Metformin, your liver processes them both. However, the liver gives more attention to breaking down alcohol before anything else, including Metformin. So, when there’s alcohol in your system, the liver focuses on handling it first, which reduces its ability to process Metformin properly.
Conclusion
Metformin is an effective medication for managing diabetes and improving insulin sensitivity, it is essential to be mindful of the foods we consume while on this medication. Certain foods can interfere with Metformin’s efficacy and may lead to undesirable side effects or hinder the regulation of blood sugar levels.
Avoiding high-carbohydrate, sugary foods and beverages is crucial, as they can cause rapid spikes in blood glucose levels and counteract the medication’s intended effects. Additionally, cutting down on foods rich in saturated fats and cholesterol can contribute to better cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of metabolic complications.
