Blood Sugar's Role in Heart Health

By Renee Goodfriend, RDN, LD

American Heart Month, recognized during the month of February, is a national

observance created to raise awareness about heart disease. Heart disease is the #1

leading cause of death in the United States. Typically, people correlate managing blood

sugar with diabetes management, but balancing blood sugars is a key component of

healthy living, reducing inflammation, and preventing disease including heart disease.

Consuming carbohydrates is one avenue that can affect blood sugar. Consuming whole

food sources of carbohydrates that contain natural sugar is okay, such as fruits,

vegetables, whole grains, and dairy products. Because these whole foods also contain

fiber, minerals, antioxidants, protein, and calcium, your body digests them slowly and

they provide energy for your cells. To prevent high blood sugar levels, it is important to

avoid added sugar found in processed foods, such as soft drinks, cereal, muffins, cake,

ice cream, cookies as well as not so obvious foods like added sugars found in

condiments, i.e. ketchup.

Other avenues that can affect blood sugar include sleep, exercise, stress, meal timing,

and alcohol.

Tips for managing blood sugars:

- Prioritize healthy sleep habits to improve your quality and quantity of sleep

- Balance meals and snacks by eating carbohydrates with protein and healthy fats

- Go for a short walk after you eat a meal

- Avoid eating meals close to bedtime

When we are able to balance blood sugar, our health benefits in multiple ways.