White rice consumption causes blood sugar spikes in prediabetic patient

Prediabetic patient Lee Su-ko experienced severe post-meal drowsiness after her blood sugar soared to 210 one hour after eating white rice. This spike, caused by refined carbohydrates, highlights the risks of prediabetes, which can increase the likelihood of progressing to diabetes by up to 17 times.

If you experience uncontrollable drowsiness and fatigue after eating, you may suspect a "blood sugar spike," where blood glucose levels rise and fall sharply. A case reported by TV CHOSUN LIFE illustrates the importance of blood sugar management through the daily life of a prediabetic patient suffering from severe post-meal drowsiness.

"White rice is the most delicious": The result of insisting on white rice is a 'blood sugar spike'

Lee Su-ko, 63, was diagnosed with prediabetes three years ago when her blood sugar levels rose above 110. At the time, she dismissed it as a symptom that could occur with aging, but as she failed to adjust her eating habits, abnormal signals began to appear in her body. Every morning, she experienced recurring symptoms of dizziness along with heaviness in her eyes and body.

To manage her diabetes, Lee grows her own vegetables and pays close attention to her diet, but she continues to insist on white rice as her staple instead of multigrain rice. Although she has tried both brown rice and multigrain rice, she stated she could not give up the taste of white rice. However, she has been experiencing such severe post-meal drowsiness that she falls asleep on the sofa immediately after finishing a meal.

When Lee's blood sugar was actually measured, it soared to 210 one hour after eating before dropping sharply to 149 two hours after the meal. This is a "blood sugar spike" phenomenon where blood sugar fluctuates like a roller coaster. The main cause of blood sugar spikes is the excessive consumption of refined carbohydrates, such as white rice or flour. The Glycemic Index (GI) of white rice, which has had fiber removed during the refining process, is 69.9, which is higher than castella, ramen, or sujebi.

Prediabetes: A 'last chance' and a warning signal

Prediabetes refers to a state with a high risk of progressing to diabetes. According to statistics, the risk of progressing to diabetes when in the prediabetic stage is at least 5 times and at most 17 times higher than that of a person with normal levels. In particular, when blood sugar changes rapidly, reactive oxygen species increase in the human body, damaging blood vessels, which can lead to fatal results such as cardiovascular disease or microvascular complications.

Recalling past experiences of inflammation in her body, Lee expressed concern that those symptoms might have been complications of diabetes. Currently, she is working to manage her condition by walking at a moderate pace every day to lower her blood sugar, while also performing strength training. She continues a lifestyle of combining diet and exercise so as not to become a burden to her children.

"Thirst even after drinking water...": The danger of diabetes missed due to unknown symptoms

Early symptoms of diabetes are easy to miss. Joo Hong-ja, 70, who lives in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, has been taking diabetes medication for several years, but when she was first diagnosed, she felt no symptoms at all and even doubted whether the test results were incorrect.

Joo later recalled her past symptoms. The most severe symptom at the time was intense thirst. The thirst was so persistent that she had to keep drinking water until she went to bed. Blood sugar spikes, which are difficult to detect through only fasting blood sugar or glycated hemoglobin, appear as symptoms such as post-meal fatigue, dizziness, and hunger, necessitating caution through dietary management.

Source: TVCHOSUN JOY (YouTube)