In response, your body releases a surge of insulin, the hormone responsible for moving excess glucose out of your bloodstream and into your cells for energy or storage. But with carb-heavy meals, the insulin response is often too strong. Instead of simply returning to baseline, your blood glucose crashes – plummeting below its normal range.
The result?
You feel tired, unfocused, irritable – and hungry again, often for more sugar or fast carbs, just to feel “normal.” From high to low in under an hour, this rollercoaster puts significant strain on both your body and mind.
As we age, this cycle intensifies
Over time, the body becomes less efficient at managing these spikes. Insulin sensitivity declines, meaning your cells don’t respond as effectively to insulin. This reduced sensitivity can lead to:
- Prolonged elevated blood glucose after meals
- Excess insulin production, encouraging fat storage, especially around the midsection
- Increased risk of metabolic imbalance, affecting energy, appetite, and weight regulation
You may find that foods you once tolerated with ease now leave you feeling sluggish, unfocused, or unusually hungry.
And it’s not just about how you feel - over time, frequent glucose spikes also put strain on your metabolism. A study showed that acute blood glucose spikes can trigger oxidative stress and inflammatory responses – even in otherwise healthy individuals.* Other studies have highlighted that irregular glucose patterns are associated with reduced cognitive function and that this negative impact tends to increase with age.**
Glucose spikes also disrupt the delicate hormonal systems that regulate hunger, mood, and fat storage. The result? It becomes more difficult to stay full after meals, maintain consistent energy, or manage weight effectively.