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We've been thinking about blood sugar all wrong. Here's why
BBC Science Focus Magazine • • health
Key Points:
- Managing blood sugar is widely promoted as essential for overall health, but experts like Dr. Nicola Guess and Professor Sarah Berry emphasize that for most people, normal blood sugar fluctuations after meals are natural and not harmful.
- Blood sugar spikes and dips, often blamed for inflammation and energy crashes, are normal physiological responses; only chronic, excessive spikes due to poor diet may increase risks for metabolic diseases.
- Common advice to avoid blood sugar "rollercoasters" by meticulously balancing macronutrients is unnecessary for healthy individuals, though it may benefit those with diabetes or insulin resistance.
- Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), while helpful for diabetics, are generally not recommended for healthy people as they can cause unnecessary anxiety and potentially lead to disordered eating behaviors.
- Experts caution against overemphasizing blood sugar control at the expense of overall diet quality and enjoyment, highlighting that factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, and body weight have a greater impact on long-term health.
