Sugar in the form of sweets and desserts can wreak havoc on your blood sugar if not controlled wisely. But what if you are someone who doesn’t consume sweets, yet your blood sugar levels continue to be high? A post on Quora also asked this question: ‘What causes high blood sugar even if I don’t eat sweets?’ To bring you expert-verified information, we reached out to Dr Manisha Arora, director, internal medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, and Dr Aarti Ullal, physician and diabetologist, Gleneagles Hospital Parel, Mumbai.
Dr Arora was quick to point it out as a “very interesting question, and a common myth”. “It’s important to understand that sugar in the form of sweets is not the only cause of high blood sugar or diabetes,” asserted Dr Arora.
Even if you’re not eating sweets, Dr Arora said that consuming high-glycemic index (GI) foods, such as white bread, potatoes, or refined carbohydrates, can lead to spikes in blood sugar levels. “Processed foods that are high in sugar, unhealthy fats, and large portion sizes can also contribute significantly,” said Dr Arora.
So, high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) can happen even if you avoid sugary foods. “It can be caused by several other factors, such as stress, lack of physical activity, poor sleep, certain medications (like steroids), and skipping diabetes medication or insulin,” said Dr Ullal.
Other contributing factors:
*Medications: Certain medications can elevate blood sugar levels. For example:
Steroids (corticosteroids) used for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, bronchial asthma, or autoimmune disorders (e.g., lupus) can raise blood glucose levels, Dr Arora said, adding “Antidepressants, decongestants, and birth control pills can also have an impact on blood sugar.”
*Hormonal response to chronic stress increases levels of cortisol, a hormone that triggers the body’s “fight or flight” response. Cortisol makes the body believe it’s in a state of famine, prompting it to preserve glucose and raise blood sugar levels, said Dr Arora.
*Inadequate or poor-quality sleep also raises cortisol levels, which can reduce insulin sensitivity and contribute to high blood sugar.
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*A sedentary lifestyle with little or no exercise can lead to insulin resistance, a key factor in rising blood sugar levels.
*Infections or illness: Even if a person with diabetes avoids sugar, infections such as cough, cold, flu, or more serious conditions like pneumonia can raise blood sugar levels due to the body’s stress response, said Dr Arora.
Do you have high blood sugar? (Photo: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
*Physiological phenomena such as the dawn phenomenon. “In the early morning hours, hormones like cortisol and growth hormone are released. These stimulate the liver to produce glucose, giving the body energy upon waking. This can lead to higher morning blood sugar levels,” said Dr Arora.
One can also experience the somogyi effect (rebound hyperglycemia). If blood sugar drops too low at night, especially in someone on insulin or certain medications, the body compensates by releasing stored glucose, causing high blood sugar in the morning. “That’s why we sometimes check 3:00 am sugar levels. If those levels are low, it may indicate the need to reduce medication rather than increase it,” added Dr Arora.
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*Post-menopausal women or those with hormonal imbalances may experience changes in insulin sensitivity, which can lead to fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
“It’s a myth that only sweets raise blood sugar. Many lifestyle, hormonal, medical, and physiological factors play a role. Managing blood sugar requires a comprehensive approach, including diet, exercise, medication review, stress management, and regular monitoring,” said Dr Arora.
Concurred Dr Ullal concurred and stressed that eating a nutritious diet, exercising daily, staying stress-free by doing yoga and meditation, and taking medication on time can help to manage blood sugar levels and improve the quality of life.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.