Not very new, need advice on Cranberries..

[Cairie]

Hi I was diagnosed T2 many years ago , was pushed into taking medication, just sort of continued going along with it. recently changed my diet to vegetarian and already losing weight. I visit diabetes clinic yearly, hospital for eye screening yearly. Realise now I was given very little advice or help until recent years. I have a question now I wonder if anyone can help with. Why is Cranberry juice or grapefruit a big NO? Suffering cystitis now and longing for a drink of cranberry juice, all I've been told is it 'interferes'

Cairie

 

[Drummer]

There are 30 grams of carb in one cup of the juice - can you cope with that amount of carbohydrate?

 

[Kaylz]

eating grapefruit or drinking juice? juices tend to have sugar added but as for eating it, what medications are you on? grapefruit can interact with some medications that's the only reason I ask as I cant think of another reason they'd specifically mention grapefruit xx

 

[Toucan]

Hello Cairie, and welcome to the forum.
There is a lot of knowledge and information on here and discussion on many topics.It may be worth browsing around the various threads to see if there are any particular interest areas for you.
Many of the type 2's on here, like me, are focused on the best ways to keep our blood glucose levels under control, and there more information about this in the 'Information for Newbies' thread if you scroll down to type 2's.
I haven't previously come across an issue with cranberry and grapefruit in relation to diabetes, but it may be related to the medication that you are on.
A while ago when I took water tablets, grapefruit was a no-go, and I have a friend who takes warfarin and can't take cranberries.
Maybe someone else on the forum will know the answer to this.

Best wishes

 

[Drummer]

Grapefruit should be avoided if taking statins - and some antihistamines as well - one reason for grapefruit juice being unavailable in pubs I frequent, and their low prices at the supermarkets I visit, I suspect.

 

[Kaylz]

There are BP meds that interact with grapefruit too xx

 

[Neens]

If you are on cholesterol-lowering medication Grapefruit juice will react/ increase side effects. Cranberry juice seems to be researched to help keep diabetes type 2 at bay. But any juice is high in carb and it is better for the body to have to break down the nutrients and sugars from fruit form. Obviously for your needs I can see why a juice would work.
Mainly it will be to do with reactions to medication I guess.

 

[Wirrallass]

As already said and in accordance with my Patient Infirmation Leaflet it is important NOT to drink grapefruit juice whilst taking medication for high blood pressure as it can affect the absorption of the bp medication. This does not occur with other fruit juices such as orange; apple or tomato juice.
WL

 

[Jodee]

It can affect the medication. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/statins-grapefruit-safely-mix/

I think Cranberry juice interferes with some types of statin and cardiac medication. You would need to check with your GP or perhaps check with your Pharmacist.

As Neens says juices are not the best choice for diabetics, other suitable whole fruit better than juice. But if on statins or cardiac medication you need to avoid even the whole fruit of grapefruit etc.

 

[Cairie]

It can affect the medication. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/statins-grapefruit-safely-mix/

I think Cranberry juice interferes with some types of statin and cardiac medication. You would need to check with your GP or perhaps check with your Pharmacist.

As Neens says juices are not the best choice for diabetics, other suitable whole fruit better than juice. But if on statins or cardiac medication you need to avoid even the whole fruit of grapefruit etc.

 

[Cairie]

So many answers so quickly.Maybe I didn't explain fully. My problem is I currently have cystitis, in pre diabetes days a drink or two of cranberry juice cured it instantly. Drinking lots of water but the earliest appointment at the surgery is Friday' So really I'm wondering what harm I could do by drinking cranberry juice? I don't take statins or any blood thinning meds by the way

 

[silentsquirrel]

or BP meds?

 

[Wirrallass]

Hi Cairie
I consulted Google re: cranberries & cystitis and came across the following link. Interesting reading.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/ar...ranberries-help-with-urinary-tract-infections
WL

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

So many answers so quickly.Maybe I didn't explain fully. My problem is I currently have cystitis, in pre diabetes days a drink or two of cranberry juice cured it instantly. Drinking lots of water but the earliest appointment at the surgery is Friday' So really I'm wondering what harm I could do by drinking cranberry juice? I don't take statins or any blood thinning meds by the way

Thanks for clarifying @Cairie 🙂

perhaps it’s just one of those things that your surgery has got used to saying to people with T2 diabetes, because there’s quite a high likelihood that those people either are on cholesterol/BP meds - or might be in the future.

If you want some pointers before tomorrow, the suggestion of chatting to a pharmacist is a good one. They know all about medication safety and which meds interact with what, so you could get some answers there.

As others have said, a glass of fruit juice is likely to cause a ‘spike’ in your blood glucose levels (many people use fruit juice to treat hypos), so it’s not an ideal regular part of your diet, but probably won’t do much harm if you only need a couple of glasses to help with your cystitis

Hope you have a good appointment tomorrow. 🙂

 

[Cairie]

Hi Cairie
I consulted Google re: cranberries & cystitis and came across the following link. Interesting reading.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/ar...ranberries-help-with-urinary-tract-infections
WL

That is very interesting thank you Wirralass you are obviously beter at using google than I am. I have printed that info out and pasted it into my recipe book