My elderly mother is a type 2 diabetic. We have purchased Glucose
Tablets to take if she experiences a low (blood sugar below 70 mg/dl).
I have seen a number of references to take orange juice if a diabetic
experiences a low.
I just looked on www.diabetesnet.com and found a table that gives a
food's Glycemic Index (Glucose is given an artribary value of 100 and
other carbs are given a number relative to glucose). Faster carbs
(higher numbers) are great for raising low blood sugars and for
covering brief periods of intense exercise. Slower carbs (lower
numbers) are helpful for preventing overnight drops in the blood sugar
and for long periods of exercise. Orange juice has an Glycemic Index
(GI) of 46 which indicates a slow acting carb. As a comparison skim
milk has a GI of 32 and white bread has a GI of 70.
I am now wondering if giving mom 3 Glucose Tablets immediately when
she experiences a low is better than giving her a glass of orange
juice.
