Blood sugar myths, checked
What people believe about their blood sugar, why it sounds right, and what is true.
Not the way you think Is every blood sugar spike bad for you?
Healthy people's sensors go over 140 for 30 minutes to 3 hours a day. A high 2-hour lab test and A1c predict trouble, not every hill on your arm.
Not the way you think Does eating sugar cause diabetes?
Mostly through weight. But sugary drinks add risk on their own, 13% more type 2 per daily serving after adjusting for bodyfat. Cut the drinks first.
No Is fruit bad for your blood sugar?
Most whole fruit is low GI, and in 187,000 people blueberries, grapes and apples went with less type 2 diabetes. Juice went the other way.
No Do you have to cut carbs to reverse prediabetes?
The trial that cut new diabetes 58% asked for weight loss and walking, not low carb, and weight lost was what counted. Pick the eating pattern you'll keep.
No Does prediabetes always turn into diabetes?
5 to 10% move on each year and about as many go back to normal. People who got back to normal even once had 56% lower risk later.
No Do you have to be overweight to get prediabetes?
In 2012, 18.5% of US adults at a healthy weight had prediabetes, and 33% of those 45 and older. Get tested from 35 whatever you weigh.
Sort of Does a glucose sensor show your real blood sugar?
It measures the fluid under your skin, 5 to 6 minutes behind your blood, and in healthy adults one ran about 16 mg/dL high. Good for shapes.
Not the way you think Is whole wheat bread much better for blood sugar than white?
On the GI scale they're 74 and 75. Breads with whole grains you can see score lower, around 53. Pick the grainy loaf, or eat the bread last.
Not the way you think Do artificial sweeteners spike your blood sugar?
Across 29 trials they didn't raise it. But in a 2-week trial, saccharin and sucralose changed gut bacteria and glucose tolerance in some people.
