WHICH KING CAKE IS YOUR FAVORITE?

Tis’ the season and we are all eating those sugary delicious king cakes. If you are pre-diabetic, diabetic, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, stay away from these sweets. These cause your insulin to spike and then you crash. Look into some healthier alternatives instead. Check out our King Cake Smoothie in our previous post.
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How Sugar Affects Blood Pressure & Diabetes:

Blood Sugar Spikes: Simple sugars cause rapid glucose absorption, leading to quick blood sugar and insulin surges, taxing the pancreas.
Insulin Resistance: Frequent spikes can make cells less responsive to insulin, a key factor in Type 2 diabetes.
Vessel Damage: High blood sugar damages blood vessels, making them stiff, narrowing them, and increasing blood pressure (hypertension).
Inflammation: Excess sugar promotes inflammation, further harming blood vessels and kidneys.
Hormonal Effects: Fructose raises uric acid, reducing nitric oxide needed for flexible vessels, and can increase salt sensitivity, worsening hypertension.

 

How Refined Bread Affects Blood Pressure & Diabetes:

Rapid Digestion: White bread’s refined grains (bran and germ removed) are quickly converted to glucose, causing blood sugar spikes similar to sugar.
High Glycemic Index: This rapid digestion leads to high glycemic index foods, detrimental to glucose control and insulin homeostasis.
Hidden Sodium: Many breads, including white, contain significant sodium, a direct contributor to high blood pressure.
Low Fiber: Lack of fiber leads to quicker sugar absorption and less satiety, potentially causing overeating.

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