Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed July 22, American Diabetes Association. What are my options? Hyperglycemia high blood glucose. Products and Services The Mayo Clinic Diet Online A Book: The Essential Diabetes Book.

See also Medication-free hypertension control A1C test Alcohol: Does it affect blood pressure? Alpha blockers Amputation and diabetes Angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE inhibitors Angiotensin II receptor blockers Anxiety: A cause of high blood pressure?

Artificial sweeteners: Any effect on blood sugar? Bariatric surgery Beta blockers Beta blockers: Do they cause weight gain? Beta blockers: How do they affect exercise? Blood glucose meters Blood glucose monitors Blood pressure: Can it be higher in one arm?

Blood pressure chart Blood pressure cuff: Does size matter? Blood pressure: Does it have a daily pattern? Blood pressure: Is it affected by cold weather? Blood pressure medication: Still necessary if I lose weight? Blood pressure medications: Can they raise my triglycerides?

Blood pressure readings: Why higher at home? Blood pressure tip: Get more potassium Blood sugar levels can fluctuate for many reasons Blood sugar testing: Why, when and how Bone and joint problems associated with diabetes Pancreas transplant animation Caffeine and hypertension Calcium channel blockers Calcium supplements: Do they interfere with blood pressure drugs?

Can whole-grain foods lower blood pressure? Central-acting agents Choosing blood pressure medicines COVID Who's at higher risk of serious symptoms?

Diabetes Diabetes and depression: Coping with the two conditions Diabetes and exercise: When to monitor your blood sugar Diabetes and heat 10 ways to avoid diabetes complications Diabetes diet: Should I avoid sweet fruits? Diabetes diet: Create your healthy-eating plan Diabetes foods: Can I substitute honey for sugar?

Diabetes and liver Diabetes management: How lifestyle, daily routine affect blood sugar Diabetes symptoms Diabetes treatment: Can cinnamon lower blood sugar? Using insulin Diabetic Gastroparesis Diuretics Diuretics: A cause of low potassium? Erectile dysfunction and diabetes High blood pressure and exercise Exercise and chronic disease Fatigue Free blood pressure machines: Are they accurate?

Frequent urination Home blood pressure monitoring Glucose tolerance test Glycemic index: A helpful tool for diabetes? Hemochromatosis High blood pressure hypertension High blood pressure and cold remedies: Which are safe?

High blood pressure and sex High blood pressure dangers What is hypertension? A Mayo Clinic expert explains. Hypertension FAQs Hypertensive crisis: What are the symptoms?

Isolated systolic hypertension: A health concern? Kidney disease FAQs L-arginine: Does it lower blood pressure? Late-night eating: OK if you have diabetes? Low-phosphorus diet: Helpful for kidney disease?

Medications and supplements that can raise your blood pressure Menopause and high blood pressure: What's the connection? Infographic: Pancreas Kidney Transplant Pancreas transplant Pulse pressure: An indicator of heart health? Reactive hypoglycemia: What can I do? Resperate: Can it help reduce blood pressure?

Sleep deprivation: A cause of high blood pressure? Stress and high blood pressure The dawn phenomenon: What can you do? Unexplained weight loss Vasodilators Vegetarian diet: Can it help me control my diabetes?

How to measure blood pressure using a manual monitor How to measure blood pressure using an automatic monitor What is blood pressure? Can a lack of vitamin D cause high blood pressure?

Weight Loss Surgery Options White coat hypertension Wrist blood pressure monitors: Are they accurate? Show more related content. Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press.

Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press Mayo Clinic on Incontinence The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press The Essential Diabetes Book Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic Press Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book.

ART Home Insulin and weight gain Keep the pounds off. Show the heart some love! Give Today. Help us advance cardiovascular medicine.

Find a doctor. Explore careers. Sign up for free e-newsletters. About Mayo Clinic. About this Site. Contact Us. Health Information Policy. Media Requests. News Network. Price Transparency.

Medical Professionals. Clinical Trials. Mayo Clinic Alumni Association. Refer a Patient. Executive Health Program. International Business Collaborations. Supplier Information. Admissions Requirements.

Degree Programs. Another review of studies found that consuming vinegar with meals affects both blood glucose and insulin levels. But again, this review did not specify ACV A third review of studies from specifically targeted ACV analyzed its effect on glycemic control in adults The researchers found that consuming ACV significantly decreased fasting blood sugar and HbA1C a measure of blood sugar over time.

However, ACV did not seem to affect fasting insulin levels or insulin resistance Vinegar may help ease high blood sugar and insulin levels after meals, particularly when those meals are high in carbs. However, results are mixed and more research is needed — especially around apple cider vinegar in particular.

Your pancreas releases different amounts of insulin depending on the type of food you eat, but eating a large amount of foods that cause your body to produce extra insulin can eventually lead to hyperinsulinemia.

This is of particular concern for people who are already living with obesity and insulin resistance Consuming fewer calories has consistently been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and decrease insulin levels in people living with excess weight and obesity, regardless of the type of diet they consume 17 , 18 , 19 , One small study from analyzed different weight loss methods in people living with metabolic syndrome, which is a group of conditions that include a larger waist circumference and high blood sugar Reducing calorie intake can help lower insulin levels in people living with excess weight or obesity who have type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome.

Diets high in added sugar are associated with insulin resistance and may promote the development of metabolic disease In a small study from , otherwise healthy people were tasked with eating an increased amount of either candy sugar or peanuts fat. In another small study from , otherwise healthy adults consumed jams containing varying amounts of sugar.

The adults who consumed high sugar jams saw their insulin levels rise significantly as compared with those who ate the lower-sugar jams Fructose is a type of natural sugar found in table sugar, honey, fruit, corn syrup, agave, and syrup.

Indeed, one study found that replacing glucose or sucrose with fructose actually lowered peak post-meal blood sugar and insulin levels, especially in people with prediabetes or type 1 or type 2 diabetes A high intake of sugar in any form has been shown to increase insulin levels and promote insulin resistance if consumed for a length of time.

Aerobic exercise appears to be very effective at increasing insulin sensitivity in people living with obesity or type 2 diabetes 27 , 28 , One study looked at the effect of sustained aerobic exercise versus high intensity interval training on metabolic fitness in men with obesity Although both groups experienced improvements in fitness, only the group that performed sustained aerobic activity experienced significantly lower insulin levels And lastly, combining aerobic and resistance exercise may be the best choice when it comes to positively affecting insulin sensitivity and levels 32 , Aerobic exercise, strength training, or a combination of both may help lower insulin levels and increase insulin sensitivity.

Cinnamon is a delicious spice loaded with health-promoting antioxidants. Recent studies suggest that both individuals living with insulin resistance and those with relatively normal insulin levels who supplement with cinnamon may experience enhanced insulin sensitivity and decreased insulin levels 34 , 35 , In one small, well-designed study, women with PCOS who took 1.

In another small, well-designed study, individuals living with type 2 diabetes who took mg of cinnamon powder twice daily for 3 months had lower fasting insulin and insulin resistance than those who took a placebo Improvements in insulin and insulin sensitivity were most pronounced for individuals with higher BMIs Some studies have found that adding cinnamon to foods or beverages lowers insulin levels and increases insulin sensitivity, but results are mixed.

Refined carbs include simple sugars as well as grains that have had the fibrous parts removed. Some examples are cereal with added sugar, highly processed fast foods, foods made with refined flour like certain breads and pastries, and white rice Regularly consuming refined carbs can lead to several health problems, including high insulin levels and weight gain 40 , Furthermore, refined carbs have a high glycemic index GI.

Some studies comparing foods with different glycemic loads have found that eating a high-glycemic-load food raises insulin levels more than eating the same portion of a low-glycemic-load food, even if the carb contents of the two foods are similar 43 , However, other studies comparing high-glycemic-load and high-glycemic-index diets with low-glycemic-load and low-glycemic-index diets have found no difference in their effects on insulin levels or insulin sensitivity 45 , Replacing refined carbs, which are digested quickly and can sharply raise blood sugar, with slower-digesting complex carbs and whole grains may help lower insulin levels.

Other studies have shown that getting up and walking around, rather than sitting for prolonged periods, can help keep insulin levels from spiking after a meal One study looked at the effect of physical activity on insulin levels in men with extra weight who were at risk for type 2 diabetes.

Those who took the most steps per day had the greatest reduction in insulin levels and belly fat compared with those who took the fewest steps Avoiding sitting for prolonged periods and increasing the amount of time you spend walking or doing other moderate activities may help reduce insulin levels.

Intermittent fasting an eating plan where you have set hours for eating and set hours for fasting during a hour period has been popping up in headlines recently, specifically around its possible weight loss benefits.

Research also suggests intermittent fasting may help reduce insulin levels as effectively as or more effectively than daily calorie restriction 50 , A study compared alternate-day fasting with calorie restriction in adults with extra weight or obesity and insulin resistance Those using alternate-day fasting for 12 months had greater reductions in fasting insulin and insulin resistance than those who restricted their calorie intake, as well as those in the control group A doctor or nutritionist can help you figure out whether intermittent fasting is right for you and how to do it safely.

Intermittent fasting may help reduce insulin levels. However, more research needs to be done, and this way of eating may not suit everyone. Soluble fiber provides a number of health benefits, including aiding in weight loss and reducing blood sugar levels.

After you eat, the soluble fiber in food absorbs water and forms a gel, which slows down the movement of food through your digestive tract. This promotes feelings of fullness and keeps your blood sugar and insulin from rising too quickly after a meal 53 , One observational study from found that individuals assigned female at birth who ate the most soluble fiber were half as likely to be insulin-resistant as individuals assigned female who ate the least soluble fiber Soluble fiber also helps feed the friendly bacteria that live in your colon, which may improve gut health and reduce insulin resistance.

In a 6-week controlled study of older women with obesity, those who took flaxseed which contains soluble fiber experienced greater increases in insulin sensitivity and lower insulin levels than women who took a probiotic or placebo Overall, fiber from whole foods appears to be more effective at reducing insulin than fiber in supplement form, although results are mixed.

One study found that insulin decreased when people consumed black beans but not when they took a fiber supplement Soluble fiber, especially from whole foods, has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and lower insulin levels, particularly in people living with obesity or type 2 diabetes.

The distribution of fat throughout your body is determined by age, sex hormones, and genetic variation An overabundance of belly fat — also known as visceral or abdominal fat — in particular is linked to many health issues. Visceral fat can promote inflammation and insulin resistance, which drives hyperinsulinemia 59 , 60 , A small study from suggests that losing visceral fat can lead to increased insulin sensitivity and lower insulin levels Interestingly, another small study from found that people who lost abdominal fat retained the benefits for insulin sensitivity even after regaining a portion of the belly fat There is no way to specifically target visceral fat when losing weight.

Furthermore, studies show that when you lose weight, you lose a higher percentage of visceral fat than fat throughout the rest of your body If your doctor has advised you to lose weight, talk with them about the best weight loss program for you. If your doctor advises you to do so, losing visceral fat can increase insulin sensitivity and help reduce your insulin levels.

Green tea contains high amounts of an antioxidant known as epigallocatechin gallate EGCG , which may help fight insulin resistance 65 , 66 , In a study, postmenopausal individuals living with obesity and high insulin levels who took green tea extract experienced a small decrease in insulin over 12 months, while those who took a placebo had increased insulin levels following the intervention In a review, researchers reported that green tea appeared to significantly lower fasting insulin levels in high quality studies However, there are other high quality studies on green tea supplementation that have not shown a reduction in insulin levels or increased insulin sensitivity Several studies have found that green tea may increase insulin sensitivity and decrease insulin levels, but results are mixed.

There are many reasons to consume fatty fish like salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring, and anchovies. They provide high quality protein and are some of the best sources of long-chain omega-3 fats, which offer many health benefits Studies have shown that the omega-3s in fatty fish may also help reduce insulin resistance in people living with obesity, gestational diabetes, and PCOS 70 , 71 , According to the U.

Young children should eat less. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should eat 8—12 ounces of a variety of seafood per week, choosing options that are lower in mercury These supplements contain the same long-chain omega-3 fats as the fish itself, but the effective dosage has not yet been determined