When a person consumes foods high in simple carbohydrates, the body releases the hormone insulin. It doesn’t take long for the body to digest these simple carbs, and the sugar is rapidly released into the bloodstream.
The released insulin triggers multiple processes that make the blood glucose available for use for energy requirements or to be converted to storage, as fat.
Whatever the end result, the insulin acts to remove sugar from the bloodstream and into the body’s cells. This hormonal action is essential, as excess blood glucose is toxic.
When the diet consists of mostly protein, fats, and complex carbs, insulin is released in minute amounts to deal with the steady predictable glucose release.
Conversely, when simple carbs or sugar-based foods and drinks are consumed, the glucose flood causes a corresponding insulin panic response.
This is when a person experiences a “sugar rush” and when the excessive insulin sweeps too much sugar from the blood, a “sugar crash” follows.
However, consuming simple carbs is not the only thing that leads to blood swings. It can also be caused by some other factors including the following:
Dehydration
Dehydration can cause your blood sugar levels to rise. This is because not having enough fluid can make the glucose in the bloodstream more concentrated.
On the other hand, if your blood sugar is high due to your diet, you may find yourself urinating more often as your body tries to expel the excess blood sugar via the kidneys, which can also lead to dehydration.
People who have trouble balancing their blood sugar levels must drink plenty of water throughout the day, every day.
The old rule of drinking at least 8 glasses of water every day, works well for most people, but individuals who are highly active and who have larger body builds may need more than eight glasses of water each day.
Caffeine
Caffeine can cause blood sugar levels to rise in those who have a degree of insulin resistance. Endocrinologist, Dr. Maria Collazo Clavell says that drinking more than two cups of coffee a day has been found to impair insulin action in people who have type 2 diabetes.
If you have issues with your blood sugar levels, you should pay close attention to the amount of coffee and other caffeinated beverages that you drink during the day. Of course, if you are adding milk and sugar to your coffee, you adding to your sugar loadings, irrespective of the caffeine effect.
However, for healthy people who do not have diabetes, caffeine does not affect their glucose levels.
Bread
If you are diagnosed with diabetes, counting carbs and keeping tabs on your blood sugar levels will certainly become an everyday part of your life.
If you love bread, you’ll have to start watching what you eat more closely.
Bagels are filled with carbohydrates and calories that will send your blood sugar levels up. Remember that not all bread is created equal. One English muffin contains 27 grams of carbohydrates and 140 calories while a bagel may contain approximately 58 grams of carbs and 294 calories.
There is low-carb type bread if you really can’t go without it, but it should be realized that bread is not a requirement for human health, in fact, it usually detracts from it.
Sleep Deprivation
If you have trouble sleeping at night it can affect your blood sugar levels. The inability to achieve quality sleep every night may send your blood sugar and insulin levels higher compared to those people who sleep well every night.
Studies have shown that diabetics who were sleep-deprived were found to be more insulin resistant than better sleepers.
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