Published : 06 Oct 2026, 07:02 PM
Updated : 06 Oct 2026, 07:02 PM
Blood sugar naturally rises after meals, and for most healthy people, a brief spike is nothing to worry about, the BBC reports.
Adrian Brown, an associate professor in nutrition and dietetics at University College London, said the idea that every glucose spike is harmful is a misconception. Blood sugar typically peaks about an hour after eating and returns towards baseline within two hours.
The BBC reported concern is greater when glucose remains elevated for longer than expected, which can indicate problems with blood sugar regulation. Yale paediatric endocrinologist Jennifer Sherr said prolonged high glucose may be linked to insulin resistance.
Oxford University dietician Nicola Guess argued that excess calorie intake and resulting weight gain may also play a role.
Continuous glucose monitors are increasingly being marketed to healthy people, but the BBC noted that experts question their need outside diabetes care. One study found people without diabetes had blood sugar levels within the healthy range 96 percent of the time.
Brown and colleagues also found in a recent review that there was not enough consistent, high-quality evidence that continuous glucose monitors improve health outcomes in people without diabetes.
According to the BBC, eating balanced meals with protein, fibre-rich foods and healthy fats can help keep blood sugar steadier. Wholegrains and protein-rich foods can also help with fullness.
The report noted that individual responses vary with factors including sleep, stress, activity and the type of meal. Experts also caution that completely avoiding carbohydrates may be counterproductive, as carbohydrates remain an important part of a balanced diet.
