What is Postprandial Blood Sugar?

The word postprandial refers to “after a meal”. Postprandial Glucose concentration means plasma glucose concentration after eating.

Blood sugar levels typically begin to climb 10-15 minutes after a meal and peak an hour later. However, PPG (postprandial glucose) is affected by a variety of circumstances, including the type of meal consumed.

For example, if you eat a high-carbohydrate meal, your blood sugar levels will rise quickly but fall even faster. If you’ve had a high-protein or high-fat meal, it may stay up longer, but it rises more slowly.

What to do in High Postprandial Blood Glucose Levels?

Postprandial blood sugar measurement, unlike fasting glucose, provides a detailed picture of how your body responds to food. This can provide a better understanding of our underlying metabolic health.

Along with fat, glucose is the body’s primary fuel source. This energy source is required for the proper functioning of every cell in your body. Your body tries to keep a constant level of glucose in your blood, storing or burning any excess and producing more (or accessing stored reserves) if necessary.

Hyperglycemia is a condition in which your blood glucose levels are abnormally high and can be dangerous.

Monitor your blood glucose at least 90 mins before having your meal. You can use a diabetes tracking app to monitor your blood sugar levels.

BeatO app sends you a timely reminder as per your requirement to check your blood glucose levels.

If your postprandial blood glucose is high check the following pointers.

• What did you eat?
• Did you eat carbs?
• Was your injection-meal interval correct?

Three Metabolic Phases

In relation to glucose, your body goes into three metabolic phases:

The initial four hours after eating or drinking are known as postprandial. Simple sugars and complex carbs are absorbed into the bloodstream, causing an increase in blood glucose. Blood glucose levels begin to rise within minutes of eating, but absorption takes around four hours.

After that, the body goes into the postabsorptive phase. It lasts for around four to six hours. In this phase, the liver breaks down glycogen to maintain blood sugar levels steady.

About 10-12 hours after that, the body goes into a Fasted phase where it stays like that till your next meal. In this phase, through the synthesis of ketones, the body moves to break down fat for energy.

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Glucose concentrations rise during the postprandial window, and insulin is released to assist regulate glucose in the body and storing it.

When to go for a Postprandial Blood Sugar Test?

Usually, people with diabetes are asked to go for a postprandial blood sugar test.

Your doctor might suggest a test if:

• You have high fasting blood glucose levels or HbA1c levels
• You have Type 1 diabetes
• You are pregnant showing gestational diabetes symptoms

After 2 hours, a result of 140 mg/dL shows normal glucose response; 140–200 mg/dL suggests impaired glucose tolerance or prediabetes. Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed when postprandial glucose levels exceed 200 mg/dL.

Before the test, you must fast for at least 12 hours and then eat a meal containing at least 75 grams of carbs.

Before taking the test, don’t eat anything else after the meal. Because this can cause blood sugar levels to rise, plan to rest during the two-hour waiting period.

If you’re pregnant, you might not need to fast. Ask your doctor for better support.

Factors That Can Impact Your Postprandial Sugar Levels

Some of the commonly known factors that can impact your postprandial blood glucose levels are:

• Intake of carbohydrates
• Less sleep
• Inactive lifestyle
• Other poor food choices

Measuring postprandial is crucial as it can tell you how your body responds to food. This is unique because no two people eating the same food will experience the same change in blood glucose levels. This knowledge can help you prevent blood sugar spikes and the damage they can cause.