Can smelling food raise the sugar

Posted by bimbra @bimbra, 4 days ago

This might sound really outrageous.
I was planning to have a chocolate bar, but didn't. however when I checked my blood sugar it had increased. Another time I was sitting next to someone having a burger and my sugar went up just simply smelling the food. How is that possible?

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Scott R L | @scottrl | 4 days ago

I've had a similar experience.
I thought it was just my imagination.
If it's true, then maybe there are smells that can *lower* blood sugar!

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | 4 days ago

@bimbra and @scottrl
I thought this was a very interesting question, so I did a little looking - it actually seems the opposite is true - smelling food can release insulin, and should cause blood glucose to fall.
Here is an article about it:
https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/education/blood-sugar-management/blood-sugar-and-food-smells-diabetes-questions-answers/
On the other hand, hunger can cause blood sugar to spike, so if you need to eat, but don't, for example when a craving hits or near mealtime, your body releases extra glucose.

Scott R L | @scottrl | 4 days ago

In reply to @sueinmn "@bimbra and @scottrl I thought this was a very interesting question, so I did a little..." + (show)

Thanks, Sue!

grrranny | @grrranny | 3 days ago

I eat leftovers cold, because smelling hot food increases my appetite, and eating more increases my blood sugar more.

Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor | @cehunt57 | 10 hours ago

As a 50ish year diabetic I can attest that rises and falls in blood sugar can be complex and confusing! It is not just about eating and tracking blood sugar results. Has anyone heard of the Dawn Phenomena, the Somogyi Effect, the release of glucagon from the liver …..? All these things and more affect the blood sugar. For those struggling to maintain an even keel there are tools in the toolbox to help. A blood sugar test is not all that useful in the long run. The trend is more important. A continual glucose monitor (CGM) can give 24/7 information. An A1C lab test gives a picture of how blood sugars have been over many weeks. As far as smells are concerned, it is the most primitive of the senses but also one of the last to fail (when we do). Surely it must figure into the regulation of the rest of the system!