A biochemist has suggested adding three key ingredients to pasta dishes to help mitigate glucose spikes and consequently aid in lowering cholesterol levels.
Jessie Inchauspe, who is popularly known as the Glucose Goddess, has shed light on how consuming carbohydrates such as bread and pasta leads to the breakdown into glucose molecules that enter our bloodstream to provide energy.
Yet, the specialist cautioned that many of us are overloading our bodies with glucose, which can lead to a host of issues including weight gain and skin problems due to frequent glucose level spikes.
During her appearance on Channel 4’s ‘Eat Smart: Secrets of The Glucose Goddess’, Jessie advised “putting clothing on your carbs” as a strategy to temper glucose spikes.
She elaborated: “When we eat carbs, so that’s starches like bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, or sugars, so anything sweet from an apple to a big slice of chocolate cake. When we eat those on their own, that’s called eating our carbs naked,” reports Surrey Live.
“Clothing is protein, fats or fibers. Instead of having your pasta naked on its own, add some chicken, some spinach, some olive oil and it’s going to slow down how quickly the carbs arrive into your bloodstream, therefore slowing down the glucose spike and reducing their consequences.”
Jessie also highlighted that each time our blood sugar levels surge rapidly, our body secretes insulin to normalize the glucose levels. However, she warned that frequent glucose spikes coupled with excessive insulin release could lead to chronic inflammation.
Jessie Inchauspe
(Image: Channel 4)
An alarming one in five individuals residing in the UK is grappling with chronic inflammation, battling ailments such as Crohn’s disease, asthma, and Parkinson’s. The Glucose Goddess has cautioned that for those suffering from these conditions, frequent small rises in glucose levels “could be making things worse”.
VeryWellHealth reports that an excess of glucose circulating in the bloodstream can provoke abnormalities in cholesterol, brought on by cells no longer reacting to insulin as they should.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often referred to as “bad cholesterol”, when present in excessive quantities, can lead to the narrowing or obstruction of arteries, which in turn heightens the risk of heart disease, strokes, or myocardial infarctions.
Healthline has documented a direct correlation between cholesterol metrics and the body’s handling of glucose. Elevated blood glucose is a harbinger of heightened cholesterol, a condition called diabetic dyslipidemia.
Looking after your health, the NHS recommends adopting a nutritious diet and incorporating more physical activity into your routine. Medication may also be necessary for some cases.
For extensive guidance, it’s advised to consult the NHS website.
Eat Smart: Secrets of The Glucose Goddess Starts Tuesday 7 January 8pm on Channel 4.