A sugar crash, also known as a "sugar low" or "sugar comedown," medically known as “hypoglycemia” refers to the phenomenon of experiencing a sudden drop in blood sugar levels after a rapid rise caused by the consumption of high-sugar or high-carbohydrate foods. It is the opposite effect of a sugar rush.
When you consume foods rich in sugar or simple carbohydrates, your body rapidly digests and absorbs these carbohydrates, rapidly increasing blood sugar levels. In response, the pancreas releases insulin to help transport the glucose from the bloodstream into cells for energy utilization and storage.
However, consuming excessive amounts of sugar or simple carbohydrates can result in an exaggerated insulin release. This can cause blood sugar levels to drop rapidly below normal levels, leading to a sugar crash.
Blood Sugar Crash (Hypoglycemia) Symptoms:
The severity and duration of a sugar crash can vary among individuals, but common symptoms may include:
- Fatigue and Lethargy: A sudden drop in blood sugar levels can cause feelings of tiredness, sluggishness, and a lack of energy.
- Hunger and Cravings: Low blood sugar levels can trigger hunger pangs and intense cravings, particularly for sugary or high-carbohydrate foods.
- Irritability and Mood Swings: Fluctuations in blood sugar levels can affect mood, leading to irritability, mood swings, and difficulty concentrating.
- Shaking or Trembling: Some individuals may experience physical symptoms such as trembling, shakiness, or lightheadedness.
- Headache: A sugar crash can sometimes be accompanied by a headache or feelings of dizziness.
What Causes Sugar Crash (Reactive Hypoglycemia)?
Some of the common causes of sugar crashes in people having unbalanced diets or taking too much insulin in their daily life.
- Medication: Diabetes drugs, which are used to reduce blood sugar levels, may cause hypoglycemia if taken in excess.
- Not Enough Carbs: Eating fewer carbohydrates than normal without decreasing insulin consumption can contribute to hypoglycemia.
- During Stomach surgery, which makes food passes to quickly into the small intestine.
- Exercises: During exercises, the body uses glucose faster. Having low carbs or too much insulin cause a blood sugar crash.
How to Prevent Sugar Crash (Reactive Hypoglycemia)?
To maintain stable blood sugar levels and avoid frequent sugar crashes, it is advisable to follow these simple tips.
- Consume a well-balanced diet(includes a variety of nutrient-dense foods, including whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and plenty of fruits and vegetables).
- Small and frequent meals.
- Staying Active
- Reducing stress
- Keeping Hydrated
- Adequate sleep
This approach helps provide sustained energy and promotes overall health and well-being. If it’s difficult to combine each meal with all the above, don’t worry, there is always moder/ate™.
What is moder/ate (Moderate Tablet)?
A natural trademarked botanical extract that helps reduce the absorption of carbohydrates and calories into the body, by up to 40% after consuming them. It helps reduce the post-meal sugar and insulin spikes. It has been scientifically proven to be safe and effective, by reducing the post meal sugar spikes by upto 40%, with a positive effect on Insulin spike also.
You can check for yourself. Eat a carb rich meal/breakfast and check your blood sugar levels at 30 min and 60 min post meal. Next day eat the same meal / breakfast after taking a tablet of Moderate 10 min before eating. Then check your blood sugar levels again at 30 min and 60 min post meal. You will see the decrease in blood sugar levels after taking Moderate. This means that you can eat the same quantity of food, but your post meal sugar load and calorie load that enters into the body is lesser by upto 40%.
The Main Benefits of Using Moderate Tablets are
- By taking this, it reduces the absorption of carbohydrates/ sugars and calories into the body, thereby reducing the glucose spikes after having heavy glucose/carb meals.
- Controls hunger pangs by preventing Glucose crashes. It helps maintains stable blood sugar levels.
- Promotes gut health and microbial development, which contributes to overall health.
- Aids in conscious eating.
It works best when it is taken 10 minutes before the meal so that it slows down the enzymes that break down carbs and also reduces the glucose absorption nt your body. more effectively and gives you the maximum benefits by limiting blood sugar spiking. This unabsorbed carbs and glucose reach your large intestine and act as prebiotics ( food) for your good gut bacteria, thereby contributing to your GUT health and overall wellbeing.
FAQs:
Q) How to Break the Sugar Crash (Reactive Hypoglycemia)?
A) A sugar crash is a sudden drop in blood sugar levels after consuming a high amount of sugar. To stop this include Balanced meals with low glycemic index foods, Including protein, fiber, and healthy fats, and avoiding sugary beverages, processed foods, and refined sugars in your diet.
Q) Are Sugar Crashes Bad?
A) Sugar crashes, also known as Reactive Hypoglycemia. They indicate problems with blood sugar management, which can lead to consequences if left untreated. Fatigue, weakness, disorientation, irritability, and increased hunger are some symptoms. While not intrinsically hazardous, they have an impact on well-being and can contribute to blood sugar instability, weight gain, and diabetes risk. Consult a healthcare expert for an assessment and recommendations on managing blood sugar levels through dietary and lifestyle modifications.
Q) Does a Sugar Crash Make You Feel Sleepy?
A) Yes, a sugar crash can cause sleepiness. Consuming a large amount of sugar can cause a rapid spike in your blood sugar levels. However, this is followed by a quick drop in blood sugar levels, which can lead to feelings of fatigue, sleepiness, and a general lack of energy. To avoid these crashes and associated sleepiness it is critical to maintain stable blood sugar levels by eating balanced meals and avoiding excessive sugar intake.
Also Read the Related Articles:
- 11 Reasons Why Excess Sugar Consumption is Bad for Your Health?
- How Do Blood Sugar Levels Fluctuate Over Time After Meal?
- Effects of Sugary Foods (Like Sweets) and Beverages on Blood Sugar Levels
- How to Manage Stress to Control Blood Sugar Levels in Diabetics?
| *** This Article is Written by Swetha Ramala, MSc. in Food, Nutrition & Dietetics. |
