Postprandial Blood Sugar(PPBS) Levels, Test and Normal Range – Sugar Level After Meals

Last updated on October 30th, 2023

What Are Postprandial Blood Sugar Levels?

The blood sugar level is the amount of sugar or glucose in your bloodstream. These sugar levels change post meals whether you are a diabetic or a non-diabetic.

The post-meal blood sugar levels (typically after 1 or 2 hours of eating) are your post prandial blood sugar values.

Tracking your blood sugar levels before and after meals is integral to diabetes management; it gives you a well-rounded picture of your overall health.

It also helps you to know how your body is handling diabetes. Read this blog to learn more about the postprandial blood sugar test (PP test) and how you can control those blood sugar spikes after meals.

Fasting And Postprandial Blood Sugar Tests (PPBS Test)

The most common blood sugar tests are:

1. Fasting blood sugar test
2. Postprandial blood sugar test (PPBS test)

A fasting blood sugar test requires overnight fasting of around 8-10 hours. This gives a vital clue about how well your body is able to regulate the blood sugar levels.

PPBS test or blood sugar PP means the measure of blood sugar levels after 2 hours of eating. Usually, the level of your post prandial blood sugar may increase and reach the peak 1 hour after eating.

PP test diagnoses you for prediabetes, type-1, or type-2 diabetes.

Normal Postprandial Blood Sugar Level Chart

Read More: What is Glycemic Index And To Calculate?

Importance of Postprandial Blood Sugar Test (PPBS Test)

Postprandial blood sugar levels, often abbreviated as PPBS levels, play a crucial role in understanding your body’s response to food and maintaining overall health. These levels also indicate how well your body responds to increased blood sugar levels.

After you eat, your digestive system breaks down carbohydrates from food into glucose, typically after 10 minutes of eating. The glucose then starts entering your bloodstream, causing your blood sugar levels to rise.

Subsequently, your pancreas releases insulin to transport blood glucose into the cells of your muscles to give you energy.

Key Points To Understand The Importance of PP Blood Sugar:

Immediate Glucose Response: Measuring postprandial blood sugar (PP blood sugar), usually about 1 to 2 hours after a meal, helps identify how your body manages glucose shortly after eating. This insight is particularly valuable for individuals with diabetes.

Early Detection For Timely Control: Detecting elevated levels of post prandial blood sugar can provide an early warning sign of diabetes or prediabetes. This empowers you to make timely lifestyle changes or seek medical advice to prevent further complications.

Personalized Nutrition: Understanding how different foods affect your levels of post prandial blood sugar can guide your dietary choices. This knowledge enables you to make informed decisions about portion sizes, meal composition, and carbohydrate consumption.

Preventing Diabetes-Related Complications: Consistently elevated postprandial blood sugar levels can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, kidney problems, and other complications associated with diabetes. Monitoring and managing these levels contribute to long-term health.

Treatment Adjustments: Healthcare providers use PP blood sugar data to tailor diabetes treatment plans. If levels consistently exceed the recommended range, adjustments to medication, diet, or physical activity might be necessary.

Overall Well-being: Maintaining stable post prandial blood sugar fosters energy stability, reduces mood swings, and supports sustained concentration throughout the day.

The key is to focus on factors that lead to increase in postprandial sugar levels, so that your pancreas can function more effectively to convert these blood glucose levels into energy.

Let’s understand the factors that impact your sugar PP normal range.

Read More: Gestational Diabetes: Types, Risk Factors, Causes, Symptoms & Diet

Factors Affecting Postprandial Blood Sugar Levels (PP Blood Sugar)

There are many reasons why you have those blood sugar spikes after eating, and most people don’t have any answer to it. The answer lies in a fascinating interplay of factors that influence your body’s response to the food you consume. Let’s dive into the science behind postprandial blood sugar levels and the key factors that come into play.

• Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are your body’s primary source of energy. When you eat foods rich in carbohydrates (like rice, bread, and fruits), your digestive system breaks them down into glucose, a simple sugar. This glucose enters your bloodstream, causing your blood sugar levels to rise. The type and amount of carbohydrates you eat directly impact how your PPBS levels.
• Fiber Content: Foods high in dietary fiber, such as whole grains, vegetables, and legumes, have a slower impact on blood sugar levels. Fiber slows down the digestion process, which means glucose enters the bloodstream more gradually, preventing sudden spikes in blood sugar.
• Portion Size: The quantity of food you consume plays a significant role. Larger portions often mean a higher intake of carbohydrates, leading to a more substantial increase in blood sugar levels. Opting for appropriate portion sizes helps manage postprandial glucose.
• Meal Composition: Combining different nutrients in a meal affects how your body processes glucose. Including sources of protein and healthy fats alongside carbohydrates can slow down the absorption of glucose, resulting in a more stable blood sugar response and a much better PPBS test.
• Glycemic Index (GI): The glycemic index categorizes foods based on how quickly they raise blood sugar levels. High-GI foods, like sugary snacks, cause rapid spikes, while low-GI foods, such as whole grains, cause gentler rises. Choosing lower GI foods can help control postprandial blood sugar.
• Physical Activity: Engaging in physical activity after a meal can have a positive impact. Exercise helps muscle cells absorb glucose from the bloodstream, reducing blood sugar levels. Even a short walk can contribute to better postprandial glucose control.
• Medications and Insulin: For individuals with diabetes, medications or insulin injections can affect how the body responds to glucose. It’s crucial to follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations for dosing and timing to manage postprandial blood sugar effectively.
• Individual Variability: Each person’s metabolism is unique. Factors like genetics, age, and overall health influence how your body processes glucose. What might cause a significant rise in one person’s blood sugar might have a milder effect on another.

You can get dedicated guidance on how to balance these factors for better control over postprandial blood sugar.

Our diabetes reversal experts at Breathe Well-being will curate a 100% natural, effective and personalized plan (best suited for your body needs) to help you manage your postprandial blood sugar levels more effectively.

Moreover, you’ll get more insights on how your diabetes reversal journey will be like with Breathe Well-being.

Why Is PP Blood Sugar Test Done Two Hours After a Meal?

When you consume carbohydrates, your blood sugar level is increased abruptly. However, it takes about an hour or two for the insulin to bring your blood sugar levels back to normal.

If you have diabetes, your blood glucose levels can not be restored back to normal. Therefore, a postprandial blood glucose test is used to check if your blood sugar levels are returning back to normal or not, a postprandial blood glucose test is used.

Symptoms Indicating Need For PP Test or Postprandial Blood Sugar Test

A PP blood sugar level test is done to know about your diabetes or insulin disorder. Your healthcare provider may suggest for this test if you have the following symptoms:

• Frequent urination
• Sores that heal slowly
• Blurred vision
• Tiredness
• Feeling thirsty
• Repeated infections

You may have to get this test done during your pregnancy to detect gestational diabetes. This type of diabetes develops during pregnancy. However, it may or may not continue after delivery. It is important to treat gestational diabetes to avoid health risks for you and your baby.

Read More: Diabetic Gastroparesis – Symptoms, Diagnoses, and Treatment

Preparations For Postprandial Glucose Test

Your doctor may ask you for a fasting test before the postprandial glucose test. For a fasting glucose test, you need to fast for at least 8 hours before giving the sample for the test.

After this, you need to eat a meal containing around 75 grams of carbohydrates.

The healthcare provider will then collect your next sample for the PP blood sugar test (2 hours after the meal).

Make sure you don’t engage in any physical activity before the PP test. You just need to rest for 2 hours. Physical activities, especially workouts, can alter your blood sugar levels.

Interpretations of PP Blood Sugar Results

The test results of sugar level after eating depend upon the age, gender, and medical history of the individual. Achieving normal postprandial blood sugar results or not depends upon various factors. However, here are some generic values for normal, fasting, and postprandial blood sugar levels:

Postprandial Blood Sugar Levels: 1 Hour After Eating

Non-Diabetic Person: For a healthy individual, a 1 hour postprandial glucose normal range should be between 170 mg/dL – 199 mg/dL. These are considered the normal postprandial blood sugar values.

Pre-Diabetic: Individuals with prediabetes, who are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, might experience postprandial levels slightly higher than normal. Levels between 200 mg/dL and 230 mg/dL indicate impaired glucose tolerance.

Diabetic: People with diabetes may get 1-hour postprandial blood sugar levels over 200 mg/dL (typically between 230-300 mg/dL).

Read More: Reverse your Diabetes without Medications

Postprandial Blood Sugar Levels: 2 Hours After Eating

Normal Person: A 2-hour postprandial glucose normal range is less than 140 mg/dL is generally considered normal for a healthy individual. The body’s insulin response helps maintain a normal 2 hour postprandial blood sugar range.

Pre-Diabetic: For those with prediabetes, 2-hour postprandial levels between 140 mg/dL and 160 mg/dL indicate impaired glucose tolerance, underscoring the need for lifestyle changes to manage risk.

Diabetic: 2-hour postprandial blood sugar levels of a person with diabetes could exceed 200 mg/dL.

Note: Since type 1 diabetics are probably already taking insulin, their postprandial blood sugar levels may spike above 300 mg/dL (may vary as per different factors). Determining postprandial blood sugar levels of type 1 diabetics is highly subjective.

Summary:

Sugar levels fluctuate in the body after every meal. In the case of a non-diabetic person, it will remain between 90-130 mg/dL. However, for pre diabetics and diabetics, it will be more than 140 mg/dL and 200 mg/dL.

Read More: How to Use a Glucometer to Monitor Your Blood Sugar level?

Postprandial Plasma Glucose Test Levels

A postprandial plasma glucose test is not the same as a postprandial blood glucose test.

When we refer to a ‘blood sugar test’, it means the level of glucose in the whole blood, which includes both the liquid part of the blood (plasma) and the cellular components (red and white blood cells).

On the other hand, a ‘plasma test’ specifically measures the level of glucose in the liquid part of the blood, which is the yellowish fluid that remains after the blood cells have been removed. This liquid contains water, electrolytes, hormones, and various nutrients, including glucose.

The reason for measuring glucose in plasma rather than whole blood is that the concentration of glucose in plasma is slightly higher than in whole blood.

According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the plasma glucose test results are typically 10-15% higher than the whole blood glucose test results.

This difference is because glucose is mainly found in the liquid part of the blood (plasma), while blood cells consume a small amount of glucose.

Therefore, if a plasma test is used to measure glucose, the results will be a bit higher compared to a blood sugar test.

Let’s learn about postprandial plasma glucose.

Read More: 15 Foods To Lower Blood Sugar

Postprandial Plasma Glucose Level: 1 Hour After Eating

Non-Diabetic Person: For a healthy individual, a 1 hour postprandial glucose normal range should be between 190 mg/dL – 225 mg/dL.

Pre-Diabetic: Individuals with prediabetes, who are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, might experience postprandial levels slightly higher than normal. Levels between 225 mg/dL and 260 mg/dL indicate impaired glucose tolerance.

Diabetic: People with diabetes may get 1-hour postprandial blood sugar levels over 225 mg/dL (typically between 260 mg/dL – 335 mg/dL).

Postprandial Plasma Glucose Level: 2 Hours After Eating

Normal Person: A 2 hour postprandial glucose normal range is less than 155 mg/dL is generally considered normal for a healthy individual. The body’s insulin response helps maintain a normal 2 hour postprandial blood sugar range.

Pre-Diabetic: For those with prediabetes, 2-hour postprandial levels between 155 mg/dL and 180 mg/dL indicate impaired glucose tolerance, underscoring the need for lifestyle changes to manage risk.

Diabetic: 2-hour postprandial blood sugar levels of a person with diabetes could be up to 225 mg/dL.

Note: The postprandial plasma glucose values mentioned above are determined considering an approximate difference of 12% since the plasma glucose levels are typically 10-15% higher than the whole blood glucose levels.

Postprandial Blood Sugar Level During Pregnancy

Gestational diabetes or diabetes during pregnancy is becoming common. It is important to start your treatment for gestational diabetes as soon as possible. It helps in avoiding pregnancy complications and keeps your baby healthy.

The normal sugar range after food for the expecting women is 120 mg/dL or less. The higher values indicate gestational diabetes. The treatment for gestational diabetes includes a meal plan, physical activities, medications, and insulin therapy (if suggested by the doctor).

Read More: Low Sugar and Pregnancy Risks Associated With Such a Condition

Tips To Prevent Blood Sugar Spikes After Meal

There are people with diabetes who experience postprandial spikes. It means their blood sugar level temporarily rises after meals. When the post-prandial sugar levels are too high, it can cause serious health problems. Therefore, it is important to keep your sugar levels in control. Here are some tips that help you maintain your PP sugar normal range:

1. Stress Management

You can control your blood sugar spikes through lifestyle management. Keep stress out of your life. Stress releases certain hormones in your body that disrupt the release of stored energy in the form of sugar. Thus, your blood sugar level spikes up. Engage in activities like yoga and meditation to achieve the PP sugar normal range.

2. Adequate Sleep

Adequate and sound sleep is an important part of your diabetes management. Lack of sleep promotes insulin resistance. As a result, your blood sugar level increases. Therefore, you should take proper sleep of 7-8 hours per day. You can do meditation to enjoy a sound sleep. This will help you achieve the PP sugar normal range. Also, it will keep you rejuvenated.

3. Don’t Skip Your Breakfast

You should always start your day with a healthy breakfast. Include a lot of fruits, low-carb food, and protein in your breakfast. This helps in achieving a PP sugar normal range after breakfast. When you skip breakfast, after some time, your body will make use of stored body glucose. This ultimately helps to increase your blood sugar levels.

4. Exercise Daily

Even moderate exercises like brisk walking, light household work, and yoga can help in controlling your blood sugar level. It also helps in improving your body’s response to insulin. This also helps in maintaining your weight so that your body can use insulin effectively.

5. Eat More Fiber

Soluble fibers help in controlling sugar spikes. Such fibers get dissolved in water and form a gel-like substance in your body. It, therefore, helps in the slow absorption of carbs in the gut. This helps in making you feel full and cutting down your carbohydrate intake. In this way, the levels of your postprandial glucose can get under control.

According to a study published in Nutrition Journal, eating a high in soluble fiber diet can help improve glucose metabolism.

6. Reduce Sugar Intake

Your body easily absorbs sugar when you eat sugary foods. Such food contains simple sugar that breaks down easily. This causes an immediate spike in your blood sugar level. You should also be aware of the food labeled as “no sugar”, “sugar-free”, or “reduced sugar”. Such labels don’t mean carbohydrate-free. Therefore, please check the nutritional facts and ingredient labels before buying grocery and packaged food items.

7. Drink Plenty Of Water

Dehydration negatively affects blood sugar levels. Lack of water in your body promotes the release of a hormone called vasopressin. This encourages your kidneys to prevent flushing out of excessive sugar from your body through urine. Therefore, drinking at least 3 liters of water per day is important to maintain the levels of postprandial glucose and prevent a sugar spike.

8. Include Chromium And Magnesium In Your Diet

There are several pieces of evidence that show chromium and magnesium together help in increasing insulin sensitivity in your body. The human body requires these two minerals in very small quantities. However, they are enough to enhance insulin action. Rich sources of these two minerals are almonds, broccoli, tomatoes, spinach, avocados, peanuts, and cashews.

9. Manage Your Timings

Your meals and snack timing affect your blood sugar levels. Sticking to the same schedule helps keep your blood sugar levels steady and consistent. Manage your timing for medication, insulin intake, and meals to prevent blood sugar spikes. For example, insulin works better when you take it 30 minutes before a meal. This enables insulin to work before your food’s glucose enters your bloodstream.

10. Track Your Glucose Levels Regularly

It is very important to monitor your blood sugar levels regularly. This helps you to know when your blood sugar levels rise and decrease. It is also a good way to track how different food is affecting your body. You will also figure out the effect of stress and exercise on your body. Use a glucometer for daily monitoring of your blood sugar levels.

You can easily control your blood sugar spikes. However, you should also know how long it takes for your blood sugar levels to return to normal after eating, and what should be your normal blood sugar levels.

These days, a variety of glucose level tracking app is available. They help you to monitor your calorie intake and blood glucose level over a period of time. Some of the apps even provide you a detailed report of your blood glucose level history. Therefore, it is convenient to start with the medications.

Read More: How to Test Blood Sugar at Home & Quick Ways

Summary:

Blood sugar spikes can be controlled by managing stress, getting enough sleep, eating more fibre and proteins, doing regular exercise, reducing your sugar intake, etc.

Treatment of High PP Blood Glucose Levels

In addition to the several tips mentioned above for sugar spike control, you should not ignore visiting a doctor. The doctor will prescribe you suitable diabetes control medicines.

If your diabetes is beyond medicinal control, insulin therapy might be suggested. In insulin therapy, insulin is injected into your body to replicate the function of natural insulin. This is an extreme treatment for diabetes control.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding and managing postprandial blood sugar levels play a crucial role in maintaining overall heath, especially for individual with diabetes. These levels provide valuable insights into how your body processes glucose after meals and can serve as an early warning sign for potential diabetes or prediabetes. By monitoring and controlling postprandial blood sugar spikes, you can take proactive steps to prevent diabetes-related complications and improve your well-being.

The factors influencing postprandial blood sugar levels are diverse and interconnected. Choices such as carbohydrate intake, portion size, meal composition, fiber content, and glycemic index all contribute to how your body responds to glucose. Regular physical activity, medication management, and individual variability also impact these levels. You can achieve better glucose control by being mindful of these factors and making informed choices.

The significance of the postprandial blood sugar test lies in its ability to guide personalized nutrition choices, detect early signs of diabetes, and adjust treatment plans. It’s a tool that empowers you to take charge of your health, make lifestyle changes, and work towards a more stable and balanced blood sugar profile.

Remember that achieving and maintaining normal postprandial blood sugar levels require a holistic approach that encompasses diet, exercise, stress management, and regular monitoring. Whether you’re aiming to prevent diabetes, manage an existing condition, or simply promote overall well-being, prioritizing stable postprandial blood sugar levels is a fundamental step towards a healthier future.

Ream More: Common Diabetes Medications for controlling your blood sugar levels

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