Optimal - The Blog

March 17, 2022

After-meal Glucose, It's Not a Dessert

After a meal, or "postprandial" glucose, is not something you eat, but it is related to what you eat. Postprandial glucose (PPG) is the level of glucose in your blood following a meal. A modest increase in PPG is expected as your body processes the carbohydrates from a meal, but it shouldn't rise too high or stay elevated for too long.

Testing blood glucose two hours after a meal gives us an idea of how well the body processes carbohydrates and regulates blood glucose. It will also provide more information about whether or not glucose spikes are common, and if insulin is doing its job. PPG spikes won' be reflected in fasting glucose or hemoglobin A1C.

Elevated glucose excursions are detrimental to cells and tissues, and reflect some form of dysglycemia or glucose dysregulation. Frequent increased blood glucose excursions are associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and other cardiometabolic consequences.

Lifestyle changes, increased exercise and activity, and nutritional interventions can improve PPG. Walking after meals and even short-intensity activity throughout the day versus being sedentary improves PPG and insulin levels in those who are overweight or obese.