Managing blood sugar levels is a daily challenge and people often turn to changing their diets as a solution.
While having a healthy diet is very important, individuals can adopt other methods for stable blood glucose alongside the right foods.
A nutritionist spoke exclusively to GB News and shared four methods to reduce blood glucose without making major shifts in eating.
Expert, Ann Garry said: “There are many methods to keep glucose levels in check that are a little less obvious.”
Ann Garry suggested meditating to reduce cortisol levels
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A 10 to 15-minute walk or some light exercises helps reduce blood sugar spikes the expert advised.
Garry said: “When you move your muscles, they use the glucose from your food for energy, which reduces blood glucose levels.”
Aside from physical exercise, consider practising deep breathing or meditation to manage your cortisol levels.
The nutritionist suggested: “Stress raises cortisol levels, which can elevate blood sugar. Engaging in mindfulness practices or deep breathing may help keep glucose in check.”
Getting enough sleep each night is very important Garry explained, as poor sleep can disrupt insulin sensitivity.
She said: “Get enough sleep – poor sleep makes blood sugar harder to control. Aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep per night.”
According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine: “Research suggests that sleep loss can lead to impairments in glucose metabolism and increases in insulin levels, which could increase the risk of the development of diabetes.
“Partial sleep deprivation is also associated with changes in the appetite-regulating hormones, leptin and ghrelin, and these changes would indicate an increase in appetite, which may lead to increased food intake.”
‘Aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep per night’
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Before consuming your meals, Garry suggested having a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar diluted in water.
She explained: “It can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce post-meal glucose spikes. Eat at least every three to four hours, leaving at least 12 hours between your evening meal and breakfast.”
A cold shower or an ice bath has also been recommended to reduce blood glucose.
An expert said exposure to cold can activate brown fat which improves glucose metabolism.
