Does my soft drink cause notable Insulin secretion?

(Sean Browne) #1

Hello everyone,

I have a question that I hope somebody can help with.
Having listened to a few presentations by Dr Ben Bikman, I decided I wanted to try to avoid unnecessary Insulin spikes.

At the shop yesterday I thought twice about replenishing my ‘squash’ (zero calorie syrup type stuff you add to water to make a flavoured drink).

I bought it but decided to do an experiment. When I got up this morning I checked my (fasting) blood Glucose. It came in at 4.5 mmol/L. (81).

Then I drank a large drink of squash and waited about 45 minutes before checking again. I was hoping blood Glucose had not dropped as this would have suggested to me an Insulin spike in response to the artificial sweeteners (Ace K and Sucralose).

I was hoping for another reading of 4.5 mmol/L and I was quite surprised to find my blood Glucose had risen to 4.7 mmol/L. (84.6).

Can anyone help me understand the rise in blood Glucose when all I had consumed was a zero cal drink? Is this may be because it was morning time?

What I’m trying to establish is whether this drink that I am quite fond of, results in a notable spike in Insulin.

Thank you,
Sean

Edit: Another 1 hr later 4.4 mmol/L (79.2)

(Allie) #2

Many people still get insulin reactions to sugar free sweeteners yes, so it is very likely. Zero calorie does not mean zero effect.

(Brian) #3

A rise from 81 to 84.6 is a tempest in a teapot. The error factor in your test is probably within that range.

(matt ) #4

81 to 84 is no change at all really. You could have taken it again and got a 78.

#5

Insulin, like most hormones, isn’t stagnant, it ebbs and flows throughout the day. An insulin response can be elicited from something stimulating taste buds on the tongue, even if it has no calories. Even just the thought of food can trigger an insulin response.

Not all data is meaningful, and this is probably the case here. First, it might just a fluke. Second, you’re within the margin of error of a glucometer. You’d need to repeat the test several times with similar results. Lastly, the effect (if there is one) is minimal. The use of artificial sweeteners may not be the healthiest habit, but it doesn’t effect the body composition and hormonal results many people achieve. If artificial sweeteners makes this way of eating sustainable for you, use it!