The effect of blood glucose on our mental (and physical) health

Bec Havian, Advanced Clinical Intern

Note: You will not find anything related to dieting or restriction in this article.

If you aren’t familiar with Jessie Inchauspé, aka @The Glucose Goddess, she is a biochemist and author who has done extensive research into the power glucose stabilization can have on our mental and physical health. Now, it’s important to be clear that this “method” is not a diet, nor is it restrictive in any way. Rather, her research focuses on the order in which we eat our food.

Glucose is made when the body breaks down sugars and starches. These foods, which are often lacking in fiber, tend to result in glucose spikes, which flood our systems with insulin. This can be a precursor for myriad physical health issues, including cardiovascular diseases and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Dr. Ellen Vora, MD is a functional medicine doctor and psychiatrist who is similarly a proponent of leveling our glucose for the purposes of our mental and physical health. She shares that the body creates a stress response when our glucose spikes and crashes, which can feel much like anxiety and panic. By stabilizing our blood glucose levels, we can help stabilize our mood.

The solution is rather simple: be intentional about the order in which we are eating our food. Veggies and plants first, then proteins and fat, with starches and sugars last (fruits included). Fiber creates a “viscous mesh” in the intestine, so by starting our meals with fibrous foods (which break down slowly in the digestive tract), we slow down the rate at which the more starchy, sugary foods are digested and thus the rate at which the glucose molecules enter the bloodstream. For instance, before having your bowl of pasta, eat a salad (fats and protein included if you so wish!)

By stabilizing our glucose, we can reduce anxiety and help protect against threats to our physical health, as well.