If coffee is the number 1 reflex against afternoon fatigue, an endocrinologist favors a completely different drink.
Coffee, tea, herbal tea, latte, fruit juice… Everyone has their favorite drink to combat fatigue which very often occurs after lunch. As recalled by Dr. Eiriny Eskander, endocrinologist “These energy fluctuations are directly linked to blood sugar levels.” Indeed, after a hearty or carbohydrate-rich lunch (white pasta, bread, sweet dessert), the body releases a large quantity of insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. “This causes blood sugar to drop about one to two hours after lunch.”specifies Dr. Eskander in The Parade. Added to this is a mechanical phenomenon, linked to digestion itself: blood flow diverts from the brain to the intestine, which accentuates drowsiness in the middle of the afternoon. Result : “Headache and fatigue, often followed by reactive hypoglycemia, which leads to palpitations, restlessness and irritability”explains the specialist.
But rather than drinking coffee – the number 1 reflex of many French people – the endocrinologist recommends another lighter drink, better for blood sugar levels and above all anti-fatigue. This drink is green tea. It contains EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), “an active compound that helps maintain stable insulin levels.” Researchers demonstrated in a study that regular consumption of green tea significantly reduced fasting blood sugar, a key marker of long-term glycemic control. The French Federation of Diabetics specifies that one and a half cups is enough and confirms that it “reduces the spike in blood sugar that occurs after a meal”. It can therefore be drunk with a meal or just after.
Beyond its action on blood sugar levels, green tea concentrates polyphenols with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting beneficial effects on cardiovascular health and metabolism. However, a precaution is necessary: green tea contains theine, a form of caffeine with the same effects on sleep. Consuming it too late in the day risks disrupting sleep. It is therefore better to stop drinking it after 4 p.m.
After the anti-bloating drink par excellence in March, here is the anti-fatigue drink to always have in your cupboard. And to optimize its effects on blood sugar, the endocrinologist reminds you to “avoid meals high in carbohydrates and sugar in order to maintain stable insulin production by the pancreas and minimize spikes and drops in blood sugar.” The ideal, according to her, is to structure your meals around proteins, fibers, good fats and complex carbohydrates with a low glycemic index. Here is an example of a lunch that meets his criteria: a dish with quinoa and/or lentils, chickpeas and/or grilled chicken, broccoli, zucchini, raw carrots and avocado or a drizzle of olive oil; accompanied by a slice of wholemeal or sourdough bread and a fruit for dessert (apples, red fruits, etc.).
