Are you obsessed with your sugar levels even though you are in good health? “This risks creating hypochondriacs.”

Reduce food cravings, fatigue, migraines and even inflammation… According to followers of the “glucose revolution”, measuring and reducing blood sugar spikes will work wonders. Leading this theory: Jessie Inchauspe, aka the “Glucose Goddess.” If the author is not a doctor but a biologist, then on this Wednesday the doctor publishes a book that seems to go in her direction.

IN Sugar: Public Enemy Number 1To avoid the “diabetes epidemic that has already begun,” Reginald Allouche wants all French people, even those in good health, to check themselves more or less regularly with blood sugar monitors. Too much? This is what we tried to find out.

“Glucose Revolution”

Of course, we won’t surprise anyone by saying that eating too much sugar has health implications. But followers of the “glucose revolution” do not just reduce their sugar intake, but adhere to a much more precise diet based on several rules. Never eat a sweet product on its own, but combine it with fiber and protein. Always eat them in the right order: fiber first, then protein, then fats, starches, and sugars (hello, pleasure). Finally: Eat salty breakfasts and snacks, and choose dessert at the end of the meal rather than a sweet snack. Followers of this “revolution” are praising it in Instagram posts, TikTok and YouTube videos.

According to the doctors we interviewed, not everything in Jesse Inchauspe’s speech can be excluded. “When foods with a high glycemic index (GI) such as pasta and white rice are consumed, [eh oui, dedans il y a plein de glucides, ce qu’on appelle les sucres lents]The body responds by producing insulin through the pancreas,” explains nutritionist Corinne Chicheportis Ayache. Since insulin has the function of lowering blood sugar, “the higher the GI of the food, the more intense the insulin response will be, which will subsequently lead to sudden hypoglycemia. » For those with memories, this was part of our SVT classes in high school. And this would influence the occurrence of the famous cravings. “When insulin levels decrease, our temperature decreases and this causes food cravings,” confirms Laurent Chevalier, a nutritionist working at the clinic and university hospital.

“The blood sugar peak slows down when carbohydrates mix with lipids,” adds Jean-Pierre Rivlin, a diabetologist-endocrinologist at Lariboisiere Hospital in Paris.

Blood glucose sensors in people without diabetes

Doctors agree that people with diabetes should pay close attention to these curves. But Reginald Allouche wants to go further. “I say, ‘Get yourself tested every five years, no matter your age or health.’ In his book, he recommends following a special diet for fourteen days, during which time the person will experience peak blood sugar levels (a tool that is only reimbursed for type 1 diabetics and people with type 2 receiving insulin injections).

“There are 35-year-old men who feel very well, but lead too sedentary lifestyles and whose blood sugar levels rise very high, for example, when they eat pizza,” the doctor assures. This means that the pancreas produces more and more insulin and gets tired, until one day it no longer produces enough insulin. Once these people see their curves, he says, they won’t behave the same way again, “and that’s why we can avoid diabetes.”

On paper, why not? But in reality, do we have any evidence? The sensors are tools “with fantastic educational properties” for people with diabetes, says diabetologist Jean-Pierre Rivlin. And only for them. “No scientific research shows that it prevents the development of diabetes. To prove this, we would have to put the sensor on subjects at risk rather than others, and see after five years whether those who have it have less diabetes. “Laurent Chevalier more money: “These devices are absolutely useless for healthy people. »

“No contract” with sensor manufacturers

“We don’t intend to create psychosis with things like this,” continues Laurent Chevalier. Everyone experiences spikes in blood sugar throughout the day, and the body “knows how to deal with them.” If these peaks remain within normal limits, “no scientific study will show that they have a clinical impact,” says Jean-Pierre Rivlin.

But Reginald Allouche insists: “Even if we don’t have a problematic peak, we repeat the sensor test after five years, and if we have significant deviations, every three years. When asked about potential conflicts of interest with sensor manufacturers, he defends himself: “I have no contract or money from these people. I don’t even know who they are. »

Biological assessment is sufficient

Therefore, for people who do not have any warning signs of diabetes, the benefit of the sensors appears to be low or even non-existent. Taking fast sugar certainly increases the risk of developing diabetes, but mainly in patients with a predisposition, insists endocrinologist Jean-Pierre Rivelin. Thus, a person who is not sick but has several risk factors such as family history, obesity, sedentary lifestyle or a woman who has already had diabetes during pregnancy is, according to the doctor, at a very high risk of developing diabetes. “Limiting fast sugars reduces this risk. »

Methods for measuring blood sugar levels already exist for these patients. “Regular medical monitoring with biological assessments including fasting blood sugar, HbA1c [qui donne une idée de l’équilibre glycémique sur les trois derniers mois]but also indices reflecting insulin resistance [HOMA et Test QUICKI] enough,” says Corinne Chicheportis Ayache.

Risk of Eating Disorders

Doctors interviewed also fear that regular use of these blood glucose monitors could lead to eating disorders. “I have patients who weigh themselves three to four times a day and who, with the help of these sensors, can become obsessed with their blood sugar levels,” assesses Arnaud Coco. It also risks creating potential hypochondriacs. »

According to Arnaud Kokoul, instead of remaining chained to the peaks, the interest lies primarily in understanding why we eat too much. “These could be emotional pounds, overly strict diets, depression or other external parameters that sometimes have nothing to do with the plate. “In his opinion, you should listen to your patient’s experience rather than adhere to restrictions that are difficult to apply in real life.