
4 min learnNew DelhiMar 15, 2026 06:00 AM IST
Many individuals consider that blood sugar rises solely after consuming sugary or high-carbohydrate meals. Nonetheless, a Canadian naturopathic physician just lately highlighted that a number of on a regular basis habits can enhance blood glucose ranges, even when you haven’t eaten something.
Dr Rachel Vong just lately shared on social media that sure life-style elements, equivalent to lack of sleep, stress, skipping meals, and even consuming espresso very first thing within the morning, may cause surprising spikes in blood sugar ranges. To grasp intimately how these elements have an effect on the physique, we reached out to Dr Chirag Tandon, Director – Inner Medication, ShardaCare-Healthcity, who defined the science behind these stunning triggers.
DISCLAIMER: This text relies on data from the general public area and/or the specialists we spoke to. All the time seek the advice of your well being practitioner earlier than beginning any routine.
1. Not getting sufficient sleep

Poor sleep can immediately have an effect on how the physique regulates glucose. In line with Dr Tandon, sleeping for lower than six hours an evening can elevate fasting blood sugar ranges within the morning — even when an individual has not eaten something.
“Sleep deprivation leaves the physique insulin resistant and due to this fact glucose stays longer within the blood,” he explains.
It additionally raises cortisol ranges, which sign the liver to launch extra glucose into the bloodstream. As well as, the physique naturally experiences a morning rise in blood sugar because of hormonal adjustments — referred to as the Daybreak Impact — and poor sleep could make this spike stronger.
“To make sure constant management of blood glucose, notably in diabetic people, it is very important get high quality sleep of at the very least 7-8 hours.”
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2. Stress
Stress can set off an increase in blood sugar even with out meals consumption. When the physique is beneath stress, it releases hormones equivalent to cortisol and adrenaline, which put together the physique for a “fight-or-flight” response. “These stress hormones trigger the liver to empty the saved glucose into the bloodstream to supply fast vitality,” Dr Tandon tells indianexpress.com.
Continual stress can even enhance insulin resistance over time. Moreover, stress could not directly have an effect on blood sugar by disrupting sleep patterns or decreasing bodily exercise.
Practices equivalent to common train, meditation, leisure strategies, and good sleep habits may help handle stress and stabilise glucose ranges.
3. Skipping meals or extended fasting

Whereas intermittent fasting is well-liked for weight administration, it could not go well with everybody. In some people, particularly these with hormonal points or current metabolic issues, lengthy gaps between meals may cause blood sugar fluctuations.
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When the physique goes for lengthy intervals with out meals, the liver could begin releasing saved glucose to take care of vitality ranges. This may typically result in a rebound spike in blood sugar.
In individuals taking diabetes medicines, skipping meals may additionally enhance the chance of Hypoglycemia.
As a result of individuals reply in another way to fasting, it’s suggested to observe such consuming patterns solely with medical steerage, notably for people with diabetes or different well being situations.
4. Having espresso for breakfast
For many individuals, the day begins with a cup of espresso — usually earlier than consuming something. Nonetheless, caffeine can affect blood sugar in sure people. Dr Tandon factors out that caffeine can briefly scale back the physique’s sensitivity to insulin, making it more durable for cells to soak up glucose from the bloodstream.
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It might additionally enhance cortisol ranges, which can trigger the liver to launch extra glucose. If the espresso comprises added sugar, syrups, or flavoured creamers, the blood sugar spike could be even higher.
“Average consumption of black espresso is taken into account to be not dangerous; nonetheless, individuals who have diabetes must pay particular consideration to the response of their physique,” Dr Tandon concludes.
DISCLAIMER: This text relies on data from the general public area and/or the specialists we spoke to. All the time seek the advice of your well being practitioner earlier than beginning any routine.



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