Why Your Morning Sugar Habit Could Be Harming Your Health

**Sharp Blood Sugar Spikes Can Have Serious Health Consequences** Starting the day with sugary foods triggers rapid spikes in blood glucose and insulin levels, which can weaken the immune system and lead to hormonal imbalances, nutritionist Mila Maslennikova told **RIA Novosti**. "Nighttime is ideal for establishing a natural 'eating window,'" she explained. "Since we don't consume food while asleep, our bodies don't receive extra glucose, and insulin isn't produced to process it. By morning, blood glucose and insulin levels drop—a metabolic benefit. But if we immediately eat something sweet, we cause a sharp surge in both, followed by an inevitable crash. That drop in blood sugar then triggers more cravings for sweets, creating a vicious cycle." Maslennikova emphasized that such dramatic fluctuations in blood glucose can have serious health repercussions. "These rapid swings disrupt glucose metabolism, leading to lower energy levels, reduced focus, hormonal imbalances, weakened immunity, increased inflammation, and a higher risk of diabetes and cancer," she warned. For those who can't resist a sweet breakfast, she offered practical advice to mitigate the harm: "Only eat sweets *after* a balanced, protein-rich meal. Minimize glucose intake—avoid refined sugar and opt for stevia, erythritol, or allulose instead. And be sure to include plenty of fiber in your breakfast, which improves your cells' insulin sensitivity."

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