Why Does Chicken Soup Raise Blood Sugar Levels?
Disease description:
Recently, I often drank chicken soup because of my deficiency in both qi and blood. However, during my physical examination today, the doctor mentioned that my blood sugar is slightly high. I would like to ask, why does chicken soup raise blood sugar levels?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Feng
Chicken soup has a good nourishing effect on postoperative recovery and patients with weak physical conditions. However, for individuals with diabetes or poor blood sugar control, chicken soup may affect blood sugar levels.
Chicken soup contains relatively high levels of fat, especially when prepared by prolonged simmering, which increases both its fat and calorie content. Excessive fat intake can lead to abnormal glucose metabolism, thereby causing elevated blood sugar levels. Chicken itself contains a certain amount of protein, which can be converted into glucose during metabolism in the body, indirectly affecting blood sugar levels.
The amino acids and proteins in chicken soup are also sources of energy; excessive intake may likewise lead to increased blood sugar. When preparing traditional chicken soup by simmering, some vegetables and seasonings such as carrots, potatoes, and red dates are often added. These ingredients are rich in carbohydrates, which break down quickly into glucose after consumption, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetic patients should strictly control the amount of chicken soup they consume, remove surface fat, and avoid adding excessive amounts of ingredients high in sugar when drinking chicken soup.
