NEW YORK: Your daily grab-and-go caffeine fix might be doing more than just waking you up; it could be secretly spiking your blood sugar as dramatically as eating a rich dessert. This is the key message from French biochemist, bestselling author, and health activist Jessie Inchauspé, widely known on social media as the Glucose Goddess.
In a recent Instagram video, Inchauspé analyzed a glucose graph to demonstrate how popular flavored coffees, particularly seasonal favorites like the pumpkin spice latte, are essentially “dessert in a cup,” and she offered practical tips to mitigate the resulting blood sugar surges.
The Coffee-as-Dessert Revelation
According to Inchauspé, the major problem lies in the high amount of hidden sugar in these beverages:
- Shocking Sugar Content: Analyzing the popular “grande cup” pumpkin spice latte, Inchauspé revealed it contains a staggering 50 grams of sugar. She broke this down into relatable terms: this is the equivalent of consuming 12 sugar cubes in one single serving.
- Liquid Sugar: She stressed that this high sugar content is not exclusive to the pumpkin spice latte but applies to many “fun flavors” such as caramel, hazelnut, and vanilla. Inchauspé explained that each pump of syrup in these drinks contains 5-10 grams of sugar, with most specialty beverages including at least three or four pumps. She concluded, “What looks like just a coffee is actually a dessert in disguise.”
- Glucose Graph Evidence: The glucose graph shown in her video displayed a dramatic spike in blood sugar levels within two hours of consuming the pumpkin spice latte. In sharp contrast, the curve for a simple whole milk latte showed a much steadier, gentler rise.
How to Balance the Sharp Glucose Spikes
While sharp glucose spikes are not ideal for health, Inchauspé provided practical hacks for those who crave a coffee-flavored treat:
- Make it at Home: The easiest solution is to prepare the drink yourself, which gives you complete control over the amount of sugar added.
- Strategic Consumption: If you buy a flavored coffee, Inchauspé recommends consuming it after a meal rather than on an empty stomach.
- Use “Clothes” to Balance Sugar: The key is balancing the sugar with vegetables or healthy fats. She suggests having “veggies first” or adding “clothes on it like eating a big handful of almonds” immediately before or with the sweet coffee.
Note: This information is for general knowledge and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.