Chili May Help Tame Insulin Spikes

Adding Chili Spice to Regular Diet Might Reduce Insulin Spikes After Meals

By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Health News

July 14, 2006 -- Spicing up your diet with cayenne chili might lower insulin spikes after meals.

That news comes from researchers at Australia's University of Tasmania, including graduate student Kiran Ahuja and Madeleine Ball, MD, who heads the university's School of Life Sciences.

The researchers studied 36 healthy adults who were about 46 years old, on average; their average BMI was 26, which falls in the overweight (but not obese) BMI range.

For three weeks, participants ate their normal diet, without any spices. Then they headed to the researchers' lab after fasting overnight.

At the lab, participants provided blood samples and then ate a meal consisting of a burger, bread, and a sugar drink. They were told to finish the meal within 10 minutes; afterwards, they provided more blood for post-meal tests.

After one more week on their spice-free diet, the participants repeated the meal test. But this time, their burger was seasoned with a cayenne chili spice blend.

The researchers used the blood samples to measure participants' levels of insulin -- a hormone that controls blood sugar -- before and after the test meals. Average insulin levels spiked higher after the bland meal than after the chili-seasoned meal, the study shows.

Why Insulin Matters

Here's why insulin levels are important. Abnormally high insulin levels may be a sign of insulin resistanceinsulin resistance, in which the body falters in its ability to control blood sugar. Ultimately, that may lead to type 2 diabetesdiabetes -- the most common type of diabetes -- and other health problems.

Participants repeated the four-week cycle, with one change: They added the cayenne chili spice blend to their usual daily diet.

Afterwards, they had a final test meal: bread, chili-seasoned burger, and sugar drink. Once again, they provided blood samples before and after that meal. And once again, their post-meal insulin increase was lower than it had been after three weeks of bland food.

The researchers aren't exactly sure how chili helped reduce post-meal insulin spikes. They note that capsaicin -- the fiery chemical in chili -- and chili's antioxidants might play a role. Ahuja's team calls for more studies on chili's effects on insulin spikes.

Answer:

Your level is currently NormalHigh (hyperglycemia).Low (hypoglycemia).

If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.

People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Your blood sugar level is slightly high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.

However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your level is currently normal. However, if you are concerned about diabetes speak with your physician. There may be other risk factors that increase your risk for diabetes.

Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.

Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.

One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your blood sugar level may be high, depending on when you last ate. If you have not eaten for at least 8 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 100. If you've eaten within the last 2 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 140. You should call your health care provider and ask if you need laboratory tests to check for diabetes. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Blood sugars consistently above 180 warrant prompt medical attention.

Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.

One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your blood sugar level is high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.