Often, when we think about losing weight, the first thing that comes to mind is trying a new diet, joining a gym, or taking a longer vacation to the luxury hotel of our choice. While there is no questioning the effectiveness of these methods, there is another way of looking at weight loss that may be just as effective – lowering your blood sugar levels. Specifically, what we are referring to is the impact that blood sugar fluctuations have on our bodies, and whether or not, lowering blood sugar helps you lose weight.
What Is Blood Sugar?
Blood sugar (or glucose) is a simple sugar (sucrose) that is delivered to our cells via the bloodstream. Basically, when your blood sugar gets too high, you are at risk of developing serious health problems. So, keeping your blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible is critical for good health. In some cases, when your blood sugar is out of whack, you may even experience mental confusion or fainting spells. That’s bad news for anyone, but it’s especially concerning if you are trying to lose weight.
Why Does High Blood Sugar Make You Fat?
When your blood sugar gets too high, your body reacts by storing more calories as fat. Essentially, when your blood sugar gets too high, it causes you to become lazy, sloppy, and unmotivated. When your body becomes resistant to insulin, which is the hormone that regulates blood sugar, you are also at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In any case, too much sugar in your blood leads to you gaining weight, which is why lowering your blood sugar levels helps you lose weight.
How Do You Keep Track Of Your Blood Sugar?
Keeping track of your blood sugar is relatively easy. You simply need to test it periodically, and act accordingly. For example, if you notice that your blood sugar is high, then you should be sure to eat something nutritious and digestible right away. After you have eaten, you should wait about thirty minutes for your blood sugar to drop, before taking your next meal. This is a simple procedure that can help you avoid the weight gain that comes with high blood sugar. Remember: prevention is better than a cure.
Does Lowersing Your Blood Sugar Help You Lose Weight?
According to research, yes. Specifically, the study showed that individuals who consumed a low-glycemic index (GI) diet, which raises blood sugar levels slowly, lost more weight than those who followed a high-GI diet, which causes your blood sugar to spike rapidly. In any case, too much sugar in your blood leads to you gaining weight, which is why lowering your blood sugar levels helps you lose weight. The findings are published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
How Does The GI Index Work?
The GI (glycemic index) index gives a reading that represents how a food influences your blood sugar. Foods with a high GI are quick to raise your blood sugar, while foods with a low GI index cause your blood sugar to rise more slowly. Essentially, foods with a high GI cause your blood sugar to spike rapidly, while foods with a low GI index cause your blood sugar to increase more gradually. As you might expect, foods with a high GI index are typically simple sugars (e.g., glucose, fructose, and the like) that are quickly absorbed by the body. We should also note that some fruits (e.g., grapes and oranges) have a high GI index, which means that they will cause your blood sugar to spike quickly. Finally, we should point out that not all high GI foods are bad for you. For example, lentils have a low GI index, and you would therefore be able to eat them in large quantities without worrying about your blood sugar rising dangerously. In fact, lentils are a good source of fiber, which provides you with a feeling of fullness, and nutrients, which are important for your general well-being. So, while it’s always good to be aware of the glycemic index of your food, you should not solely base your diet on that index, as there are many healthy and nutritious foods that have a high GI index.
What About Other Nutrients?
There are several other nutrients that may also be important for successful weight loss. For example, fiber is vital for forming a healthy digestive system and maintaining a normal digestive pH (which is critical for avoiding digestive problems). Also, we know that adequate amounts of folate (a B vitamin) and vitamin C (a powerful antioxidant) can reduce obesity and prevent weight gain. The point is that a multi-nutrient and vitamin-rich diet supports normal function of your body, which in turn supports weight loss.
What About Exercise?
Of course, exercise is important for maintaining a healthy body weight. Research shows that people who exercise regularly consume fewer calories, regardless of their dietary preferences. Also, exercise promotes normal blood circulation throughout the body, which in turn brings with it a better appetite, and an increased feeling of wellbeing. So, it’s no secret that exercise is important for weight loss, but it’s also important to understand the various factors that influence your success in losing weight.
The Importance Of Sleep
Many people who try to lose weight get so obsessed with exercising and following a strict diet that they forget about the most important thing – their sleep. You know what they say, “early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” Well, sleep is equally as important for your physical and mental wellbeing, so make sure that you get the most out of each night’s sleep. One important thing to keep in mind is that too much sleep can cause you to lose weight, so if you are already sleeping more than required, then try to cut back on how much you are sleeping. Another important factor to consider is that lack of sleep can severely hamper your weight loss efforts, so make sure that you try to get at least seven hours of sleep each night.
With all of this information about the link between blood sugar and weight loss, it’s clear to see that there is no single “best” way to lose weight. That is, what might work for one person could do the opposite to another. So, it’s really important to find what works best for you, and stick with it. There are many ways to lose weight, but if you are looking for a guaranteed, quick fix, then you might be disappointed. However, if you are willing to put in the work, and are open to trying new things, then you might just be able to lose weight, and enjoy all of the benefits that come with it.