Surprising things that can affect blood sugar 

“First off, caffeine,” said Agostino. “Caffeine can cause a rise in the stress hormone cortisol, which can cause a rise in blood sugar levels.”

Agostino also noted that many medications like steroids, decongestants, beta blockers, statins and certain antibiotics can affect blood sugar levels or even mask the symptoms of changes in blood sugar that you would otherwise be watching for. This doesn’t mean it’s too dangerous to take these medicines, only that you should be aware of the potential effects and take care.

Another thing that can affect blood sugar levels is simply what time of day it is. During what is often called the “dawn phenomenon”, blood sugar levels often increase in the early morning between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m.

Blood sugar can also drop very low overnight, causing a surge of hormones (and rise in blood sugar) in the morning.

Low or high temperature extremes can also affect blood sugar levels in a big way. During the colder months, people often stay inside and are less active while often eating more (think about all those holiday dinners). During higher temps, blood vessels dilate as a response to the heat, enhancing insulin absorption and potentially raising your blood sugar.

Agostino also went into detail on surprising foods that can cause blood sugar spikes, plus the way that pain, infection and inflammation can affect your blood sugar. Watch the video to learn the rest, and find more information on diabetes diagnosis, treatment and management right here on Flourish.