You may have heard the term “insulin” thrown around a little bit…
While it’s often associated with diabetes, turns out, everyone has insulin pumping around their bod. So, it’s time we delve into what this clever hormone actually does.
Put simply, insulin is made by your pancreas to help absorb and use glucose and carbohydrates as energy. But, as glucose and fructose are metabolised differently, they each affect your insulin levels in distinct ways…
Insulin and glucose.
We’ve talked a few times about how glucose is absorbed into most of your cells. Turns out, this process is aided by an insulin spike, where insulin actually binds to the glucose molecules and carries it to your cells in order to efficiently restore your blood sugar levels.
Our IQS expert and naturopath, Emily Seddon, explains that this process not only helps your body to use glucose as energy, but it triggers a hormonal change. “An insulin spike leads to an increase in leptin (our “satiety hormone”) and a decrease in ghrelin (our “hunger hormone”), which effectively tells you you’re full and puts the brakes on your appetite.”
Insulin and fructose.
Fructose, on the other hand, has a low glycemic index and therefore, a minimal effect on blood sugar and insulin levels. But before you celebrate, there’s more to the story… because the insulin spike doesn’t occur as aggressively, your hunger hormones aren’t triggered and thus, you can keep eating and eating the sweet stuff (we’ve all been there)!
Emily also explains that as fructose is metabolised in the liver, consuming too much can lead to fatty deposits, which in turn, can be detrimental to your health. “These fatty deposits can actually induce insulin resistance, where the pancreas consistently produces more and more insulin.”
Fascinating stuff!
If you’ve fallen off the sugar-free wagon and need to get things under control again (insulin levels included), check out our 7-Day Reboot.
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