A must-read book of mind-blowing science and life-changing hacks.
Commonly referred to as blood sugar, glucose can have major consequences on our overall health. Biochemist, researcher, and founder of the Glucose Goddess movement, Jessie Inchauspé offers an invaluable lesson on how to take control of your blood sugar to improve the overall quality of your life in Glucose Revolution.
She begins with a thorough explanation of what glucose is: a molecule that enters our bloodstream through sweet and starchy foods. Then she highlights why it’s so important to reduce the occurrence of glucose spikes: an overload in the system can lead to weight gain, fatigue, hunger, mood swings, and hormonal imbalances. Over time, an excess of glucose may contribute to more serious health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome, cancer, dementia, and heart disease.
No detail is spared as Inchauspé explains the science behind how glucose works in the body. She never talks down to the reader, using all the necessary scientific terminology. There is also the inclusion of frequent graphs to support her scientific claims. But the writing still feels friendly and accessible, often humanised with personal anecdotes and humour. It’s a rare occurrence for me to read a book with this much scientific jargon and never once feel bored!
With a clear contents and index, and logical chapters, the book is easy to navigate and refer back to—which is inevitable as there’s a lot of information to take in. After the theory behind glucose and its spikes comes the drawing point of the book: the hacks to lower your glucose levels. The tips are simple and surprisingly easy to incorporate into life. And foodies will be delighted to discover that they don’t involve strict dieting or self-starvation. Actually, many of the hacks involve eating more food than you otherwise would.
Within the chapters outlining the hacks, Inchauspé includes personal stories from people who have used the tips in their own lives, and the positive outcomes they experienced as a result. There is also a whole chapter of smart recipes that align with the science in the book, plus several recipes and snack/meal ideas scattered throughout. It doesn’t feel like the author hits the reader with the science and then leaves them to fend for themselves; rather, she includes countless hints and pieces of useful advice that will help readers to actually make the changes she suggests.
Though the facts are clear (and can be harsh at times—coming from a gal who loves a sugary bowl of cereal), they are delivered with an encouraging tone of kindness and understanding. Inchauspé stresses the importance of still eating the foods you enjoy and not spiralling into self-flagellation if you struggle to follow the hacks every day.
As someone who suffers from reactive hypoglycaemia, I’ve found the hacks, such as changing the order in which you eat certain ingredients, have already made a huge difference. Given the long list of potential side effects of excess glucose, this book is a fantastic read, whether you too suffer from blood-sugar-related issues or just want to sleep well and wake up feeling great.
You can keep up with the Jessie Inchauspé and the Glucose Goddess movement on Instagram here.
Reviewed by Vanessa Elle
Instagram: @vanessaellewrites
This book is the opinion of the reviewer and not Glam Adelaide.
Distributed by: Penguin Books Australia
Released: March 2022
RRP: $34.99