Postprandial blood Sugar (PPBS) is the amount of glucose or sugar in your blood two hours after consuming a meal. It indicates the amount of glucose in a person’s blood in response to food. PPBS is generally calculated two hours after the person has eaten their meal.
For clinical purposes, PPBS levels above 200 are considered to be diabetic, and those close to but below 200 mg/dL( milligrams per deciliter) can be regarded as pre-diabetic.
PPBS Test
This test is used with a pre-breakfast sugar test known as Fasting Blood Glucose (FBS).
The PPBS test is not to be confused with the Random Blood Sugar (RBS) test. The former is for measuring blood sugar after a meal, and the latter is a random measurement that is, therefore, less reliable.
The first time I had taken a sugar test was a RBS test, but even after detecting a 365 level, my doctor asked me to get tested again a couple of days later. The next tests were FBS and PPBS.
Factors Affecting a Blood Sugar Levels and PPBS Test
Food
As discussed earlier, food with higher GI values (white rice, pineapple, watermelon) releases glucose more quickly than foods with lower GI values (chicken, fish, lentils, and gram).
Usage of Medicines
If you are using diabetic medicines or medicines for PCOS, both tend to lower your PPBS levels. There are several other medicines that have a similar effect.
On the other hand, Rosuvastatin, a common medicine for weight loss and lowering lipid levels, also has a marginal effect on blood sugar levels. It raises the levels by a small factor. I use this medicine since I have both hyperlipidemia and diabetes.
Collection Method and Time
The sample collected must have minimal exposure to air to prevent any oxidation or contamination. Further, the area from which blood is drawn should be properly sanitized before and after sample collection.
Exercise and Yoga
The inclusion of exercise and yoga into one’s lifestyle significantly reduces the blood sugar levels. Exercise tends to drain excess sugar from blood while helping you battle with insulin resistance. Further, it also helps in the repair of the beta cells in the pancreas.
A complete guide is available in the book The Diabetes Code by Dr. Jason Fung.
Other Health Conditions
Several other health conditions contribute to a high blood sugar level. Some of them are:
- Cushing’s Syndrome is a condition that elevates cortisol levels and, hence, raises blood sugar.
- Polycystic ovarian Syndrome also causes increased blood sugar levels, a common occurrence among females.
- Pancreatitis is a condition where the working of the pancreas is disturbed, causing improper insulin production.
- Hyperthyroidism is a condition marked by high Thyroid levels, which raise the metabolism and cause a higher sugar concentration in the blood.
Foods To Avoid Before a PPBS Test
If you do not consume high-glycemic-index foods and fruits like watermelon, white rice, pineapple, or even puffed rice, it is best to avoid them before getting tested for PPBS. A high-glycemic-index food is very likely to raise your blood sugar levels above the normal range.
This happened in my case. Before my first diabetic diagnosis (RBS), I had a 250 ml bottle of sweetened soda (10.9 grams of added sugars) with a bowl of Upma, and this raised my blood sugar levels above 365. The next time(PPBS), I had Poori-Sabji, which was again a deep-fried high glycemic index food.
Remember that this precaution is only to be followed before you are diagnosed to be a diabetic. Once you have confirmation of being a diabetic or even a pre-diabetic, it is best to avoid high glycemic index foods or severely restrict their portion and frequency of consumption.
Disclaimer: This article is purely based on personal experience and the knowledge accumulated over time. It does not amount to medical advice by any means. Any therapy, diet, or treatment plan should be undertaken in consultation with your doctor.
