Best CBD Gummies for Diabetes: Top Edibles for Diabetes
Looking for the best diabetes-friendly CBD gummies? We’ve got you covered with our ranking of the top 10 brands selling low-sugar CBD treats — and an all-around guide to using cannabidiol for diabetes.
The numbers are merciless when it comes to diabetes in the United States. Approximately 537 million adults are living with diabetes.
It’s a giant leap from 2017 when that number was “just” 100 million.
CBD gummy is known for its metabolism-boosting properties, from enhancing mitochondrial activity to helping level blood sugar levels and promoting fat browning.
In this article, we dive deep into the health benefits of CBD gummies for diabetes — and reveal the top 10 best products for this condition.
10 Best CBD Gummies for Diabetes
1. Royal CBD
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Royal CBD was launched in 2018 by a group of biohackers and hemp advocates. The company has quickly made it to the top of the ladder and is now one of the most recognizable manufacturers of hemp supplements.
The Royal CBD gummies come in four variants:
- Broad Spectrum CBD Gummies – 25 mg of CBD
- Full-Spectrum CBD Gummies – 25 mg of CBD + 0.3% THC
- Sleep Gummies – CBD + CBN + Melatonin
- Relief Gummies – CBD + CBC
- Immunity Gummies – CBD + Vitamin C + Zinc
On top of delicious fruity flavors, this line of gummies deserves kudos for its well-designed formulas that serve different health needs. If you’re looking for the best CBD gummies for diabetes, the Immunity and Sleep gummies are strong candidates.
These gummies are made with non-GMO, pesticide-free hemp, extracted with supercritical CO2, and triple-tested for CBD and contaminants in an independent laboratory.
2. Gold Bee
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Gold Bee is an artisan company specializing in full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD products infused with superfoods, such as raw honey and organic MCT oil.
The brand offers three types of gummies:
- Vegan CBD Gummies – 25 mg CBD
- Energy Gummies – 50 mg CBG + 25 mg CBD
- Sleep Gummies – CBD + CBN + Melatonin
These are one of the best-tasting low-sugar gummies we’ve ever had. The strawberry flavor in the Energy version is particularly mouthwatering and can help elevate your energy levels when you need an extra boost.
Not to mention they’re the only vegan gummies whose texture is almost identical to those with gelatin.
However, it’s a shame these products are made in small batches because they’re often out of stock.
3. Area 52
Get 15% off all Area 52 products. Use code “CFAH” at checkout.
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Area 52 makes all sorts of cannabinoid-based supplements. The brand entered the market in 2020 with its award-winning collection of delta 8 THC products.
The guys at Area 52 quickly followed through with a new line of “full-spectrum gummies” that contain a 5:1 ratio of CBD to THC (25 mg: 5 mg) — but still below 0.3% as outlined by the 2018 Farm Bill.
These gummies go a long way. You can feel the enhanced effects from that additional THC, but the vibe is not even close to the high you get from marijuana. You can still do your daily chores and maintain a positive attitude — without the risk of getting anxious or paranoid.
These gummies also contain other minor cannabinoids, such as CBC, CBG, and CBN, as well as terpenes like myrcene, limonene, and pinene.
4. CBDfx
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If you need stronger CBD gummies for diabetes, this product can be a game-changer. The CBDfx gummies contain 50 mg of CBD accompanied by supportive non-psychoactive cannabinoids and terpenes — but with no traces of THC.
That’s good if you’re afraid of taking any THC in your gummies, but on the other hand, it limits the potential of the entourage effect.
That’s why we put them in 4th place on our list of the best CBD gummies for diabetes.
5. CBDistillery
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CBDistillery is one of the largest suppliers of CBD in North America — and one of the first brands that entered the CBD space.
These gummies contain full-spectrum CBD, so they leave a hempy aftertaste (not our favorite to be honest). They also come with 30 mg of CBD per serving, making them a decent pick for those who need higher doses of CBD in their routine.
That being said, this potency makes them difficult to dose — not to mention that they cost more than the other gummies from this ranking.
6. Hemp Bombs
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Hemp Bombs has great expertise in making isolate-based CBD products. This was one of the first brands we’ve tested CBD gummies from.
Unlike most gummies we’ve tried for the purpose of making this ranking, the Hemp Bombs gummies leave no hempy aftertaste at all because they contain pure CBD.
CBD isolate is odorless and flavorless; it also contains the highest amount of CBD per serving.
The Hemp Bombs CBD gummies are available in 5 different strengths, from 5 mg to 30 mg of CBD per gummy. They’re sold in 60-count jars but you can also try sample packets if you’re not ready for a leap of faith.
So why don’t these gummies top the list of the best CBD products for diabetes?
The lack of other cannabinoids and terpenes makes lower doses less effective than full-spectrum and broad-spectrum extracts.
7. Medterra
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Medterra is a California-based brand that makes premium-grade CBD products from organic hemp, including its award-winning CBD gummies.
These are one of the best-designed formulas we’ve stumbled upon. Medterra offers three types of CBD gummies, including:
- Immune Boost – CBD + Vitamin C + Elderberry + Zinc
- Stay Alert – CBD + Green Tea + Ginkgo Biloba
- Sleep Tight – CBD + Chamomile + Lemon Balm + 5-HTP + Passionfruit + Melatonin
The gummies are sealed in paper packs, which is a nice nod toward the environment. Each pack comes with 30 gummies containing 25 mg of broad-spectrum CBD per piece.
Medterra’s CBD gummies are among the best-selling CBD products for diabetes. Each batch comes with a relevant certificate of analysis that proves its potency and purity.
8. Charlotte’s Web
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Charlotte’s Web is one of the trailblazers in the CBD market. The brand was established by the Stanley Brothers who popularized CBD in the USA by helping a young girl named Charlotte Figi significantly reduce their epilepsy episodes.
Since then, Charlotte’s Web has become a CBD behemoth, and despite a few issues with the warning letters from the FDA, it still remains one of the top picks among health-conscious cannabis users.
The brand has recently introduced a reformulated version of its gummies, including the Sleep, Recovery, and Calm variants.
The Sleep gummies are infused with 5 mg of full-spectrum CBD and 1.5 mg of melatonin to support deep, restorative sleep.
The Recovery variant comes with a blend of ginger and turmeric to boost immune function.
The Calm version contains lemon balm that enhances the relaxing effects of CBD while uplifting your mood and raising energy levels.
Unfortunately, at 5 mg of CBD per piece, these gummies may not be suitable for larger users who need a stronger dose in their routine without elevating blood sugar levels.
9. PlusCBD Oil Gummies
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PlusCBD Oil is the daughter brand of CV Sciences, one of the pioneering companies in the CBD space. Now a hemp giant, PlusCBD Oil provides a broad range of products, including oils, capsules, sprays, gummies, and topicals.
You can choose between three versions of the PlusCBD Oil gummies:
- Regular – 10 mg of full-spectrum CBD
- Calm – CBD + L-theanine + 5-HTP
- Sleep – CBD + magnolia + lemon balm + melatonin
The gummies come in 4 fruity flavors, including Strawberry Lemonade, Citrus Punch, Chery Mango, and Raspberry. Some of them have only one flavor option, so you’ll need to check the exact version for details.
The only downside to these gummies is that they aren’t vegan. Each version includes gelatin, so if you’re looking for vegan-friendly CBD gummies for diabetes, we suggest that you check out Gold Bee or Royal CBD.
10. cbdMD
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cbdMD is a decent company if you’re looking for reasonably-priced, high-quality gummies for diabetes. They contain CBD isolate and are suitable for vegans, so there are virtually no restrictions on eating them (except for the quantity if you’re a diabetic).
You can choose from two potency options: 300 mg or 750 mg of total CBD, translating into 10 mg and 25 mg of CBD per gummy. The price per mg of CBD is $0.08 – $0.10, making them one of the most affordable options on the market.
The reason they end up in the last place in our list of the best CBD gummies for diabetes is that they don’t evoke the entourage effect and taste quite bland for CBD isolate gummies.
How We Picked the Top 10 CBD Brands for Diabetes
- Low Sugar – diabetes is caused by constantly high blood sugar levels, so why elevate them even more? When you pick low-sugar CBD gummies for diabetes, you reduce the incidence of glucose spikes. Opt for products sweetened with honey, stevia, or xylitol. And if they contain sugar, make sure it’s not heaps of white sugar.
- High Potency – low-strength gummies make you eat more pieces to meet your optimal dosage. More gummies equal more sugar, and once again, you want to prevent sugar spikes as often as possible.
- Organic Hemp – hemp is a dynamic accumulator; translating from botanical to human, these plants absorb and accumulate all substances from their environment. Any toxins, such as pesticides, heavy metals, or mold, can pass into the final product and harm your nervous and immune system in the long run.
- Third-party Testing – as mentioned, the CBD space is unregulated, so it’s paramount to check the credibility of your potential vendor. Third-party laboratories check the tested sample for potency, phytochemical profile, and contaminants. If a product passes the test, it receives a certificate of analysis with a list of results for all the said parameters. No lab reports – no trust. Period.
- Additional Ingredients – if a company uses adaptogens, metabolic modulators, and other supportive ingredients, it’s all the better. But most of the time, a broad-spectrum or broad-spectrum extract should help you maximize the efficacy of your supplementation.
- Reputation – we selected the most reputable CBD edible brands on the market with a long record of returning customers. These companies are well esteemed in the cannabis community and have never failed to provide a high-quality product.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a metabolic disease resulting from too high sugar levels. Blood sugar (glucose) is the primary source of energy for humans and is sourced from the food you consume.
Glucose enters your cells with the help of insulin, a hormone released by the pancreas. From there, it’s used for energy.
However, constantly high blood sugar levels compromise your body’s ability to produce enough insulin to manage glucose production efficiently. As a result, you store more sugar in the bloodstream.
Neglecting this issue can lead to a range of health issues, such as high blood pressure (hypertension), clogged arteries, depression, mood swings, heart disease, insomnia, etc.
Some people experience “borderline diabetes” or “a touch of sugar” — two popular names for the prediabetic state. However, that doesn’t mean you should neglect it. In fact, every case of diabetes requires lifestyle changes and medical attention.
How Many Types of Diabetes Are There?
Humans can suffer from two common types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. There’s also gestational diabetes — which occurs in pregnant women.
Let’s have a quick breakdown of all types.
Type 1 Diabetes
This type of diabetes is an autoimmune disease that gets triggered when your body doesn’t produce insulin. This malfunction results from the overactive immune system that destroys cells in your pancreas that are responsible for secreting this hormone.
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed early in childhood, but it can occur at any age. People with this disease often rely on injected medications to stay alive.
Type 2 Diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body has issues with using insulin efficiently to manage blood sugar levels. Everyone can develop type 2 diabetes; you can have it even if you’re a child. However, type 2 diabetes affects middle-aged and older adults more often than younger people. It’s also the most common type of diabetes.
Gestational Diabetes
Some women may develop gestational diabetes when they get pregnant. This type of diabetes should disappear once the baby is born. However, women who have experienced gestational diabetes are more likely to get type 2 diabetes later in life.
Side Effects of Untreated Diabetes
Diabetics struggle with constantly high blood glucose levels. This, in turn, may give rise to the following health problems:
- Dental disease
- Restless leg syndrome
- Hypertension
- Stroke
- Vision problems
If you’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you can take certain steps to prevent it from deteriorating.
Cutting down on carbohydrates, living an active lifestyle, and increasing the amount of healthy fatty acids in your diet should set you on a good way to manage diabetes. It’s also essential to reduce stress and exposure to environmental pollution.
Supplements can help you enhance the effects of your lifestyle and dietary modifications. As it turns out, hemp-derived supplements may help you manage the symptoms of diabetes with CBD oil and address the root cause of the disease — a poorly functioning metabolism.
How CBD Works to Help with Diabetes
CBD ‘clicks’ on several gears in your body to produce therapeutic effects on diabetes. Depending on the type of diabetes, CBD can potentially reduce some of the symptoms while working to bring the body back to balance through its interaction with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Studies also suggest that cannabinoids like CBD can be used as means of prevention for diabetes.
Here’s how you can help yourself with CBD gummies if you suffer from either type.
Lower Insulin Resistance
When the cells in your body resist insulin, they become unable to transfer glucose to cell tissues.
This can lead to a glucose buildup in your body, resulting in elevated sugar levels. Ideally, the cells should work with insulin to use sugar for energy. In type 2 diabetes, this becomes more difficult.
Some studies suggest that CBD could improve the body’s ability to absorb and use insulin.
In a 2013 study published in the American Journal of Medicine, 4,657 adult cannabis users — men and women — got their blood glucose and insulin levels analyzed. It turned out that people who used cannabis frequently had 17% lower insulin resistance compared to non-users.
Enhanced Mitochondrial Function
Mitochondria are the energy powerhouse of the cell. Impaired mitochondrial function can lead to metabolic issues, such as insulin resistance. CBD acts as a protective molecule, displaying antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have shown that CBD allows the mitochondria to maintain their function despite the presence of free radicals and other substances disturbing their activity.
Better Regulation of Blood Glucose
Diabetes occurs more often in obese people. These two conditions are actually closely related.
When you consume sugar, the pancreas releases insulin, a hormone responsible for regulating blood glucose levels and making glucose absorption possible into the cell tissue.
Having too much body fat causes the cells to reject insulin. This reduces the body’s capacity to absorb sugar and transform it into energy — a condition called insulin resistance.
When your body starts to use sugar for storage instead of energy, it will make you gain extra weight.
Conclusion? Maintaining a healthy weight is a preventive method against diabetes.
Recent studies have shown that people who use cannabis frequently have smaller waist circumferences than non-users. They also have lower markers of insulin resistance and show speedier metabolism.
The reason why CBD helps maintain a healthy weight is that it causes the browning of fat cells. It’s a process where white fat cells — the ones used for storage — are turned into brown cells, which serve as an efficient source of energy.
While CBD isn’t a miracle cure for diabetes (it’s not even an acknowledged treatment), CBD gummies can help you with weight loss when accompanied by a healthy diet and active lifestyle.
Improved Blood Circulation
High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the most common side effects of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
The consequences of untreated hypertension include kidney disease and blindness.
How does CBD help you maintain healthy blood pressure?
Studies have shown that CBD relaxes the blood vessels, improving blood flow — and thus reducing hypertension.
Using CBD for diabetes can help you kill two birds with one stone.
Reduced Inflammation of the Pancreas
CBD offers remarkable anti-inflammatory properties that help control some of the symptoms of diabetes — like pain in the pancreas, and particularly the onset of type 1 diabetes.
Scientists propose that this disease stems from chronic inflammation in the pancreas.
Inflamed pancreas cells become severely damaged and lose the ability to produce sufficient amounts of insulin — the first symptom of type 1 diabetes.
CBD use may help you delay this disease, especially if it’s caused by lifestyle factors.
How to Use CBD Gummies for Diabetes
CBD gummies are a good treatment for diabetes, but you should watch for the amount of sugar per gummy.
High-sugar gummies are not an option because they can further elevate your blood glucose levels and make the problem worse.
Always opt for low-sugar CBD gummies – or those containing natural sweeteners, such as honey, stevia, or xylitol.
Another handy way to prevent insulin spikes after taking CBD gummies is to use a high-strength product. With more CBD per gummy, you don’t need to eat as many of them as you would with low-potency ones.
Less sugar, more CBD – it’s a fair trade-off.
CBD Gummies Dosage for Diabetes
There are no dosage charts when it comes to using CBD gummies for diabetes because CBD isn’t an official treatment for this disease. The FDA doesn’t even have a recommended serving size for CBD.
Finding the best CBD gummy dosage for diabetes can be tricky because it involves an array of individual factors, such as your age, weight, metabolism, goals with CBD, and your overall tolerance to cannabinoids.
It’s best to start with a low dose first — like 5 or 10 mg — and observe how your body responds. If you don’t feel any positive change after a few days, increase the dose by another 10 mg.
Up to the point where you experience relief from your symptoms without any side effects.
Most CBD users don’t take more than 50 mg of CBD a day. If you have 25 mg CBD gummies, all it takes is 2 pieces to match your dosage.
The good news is that you can’t overdose on CBD. If you take too much, a few mild side effects may occur, such as dry mouth, changes in appetite, dizziness, fatigue, and diarrhea.
Final Verdict: Should You Eat CBD Gummies If You Have Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease that can lead to severe complications if left untreated. If you neglect your blood sugar levels, you can end up with severe side effects of diabetes, such as hypertension, depression, neuropathy, and heart disease.
Current studies support the use of CBD for metabolic health. Although CBD gummies aren’t a cure for diabetes, they can help you manage your blood glucose levels, promote fat browning, lower insulin, and reduce inflammation in the pancreas.
When buying CBD gummies for diabetes, opt for low-sugar options with a high CBD content. This way, you’ll minimize the amount of sugar in your system while getting the most out of your single dose.
We hope this article has been useful and you’ll be able to pick the best CBD gummies for your needs — either with our guide or by doing your own research.