Blood sugar in the body is managed by a hormone called insulin which is released in the pancreas. Due to unhealthy lifestyle choices and genetics, the pancreas stops producing the right amount of insulin in the body, leading to complications like diabetes. According to health professionals, an ideal blood sugar level before meals should be around 80 to 130 mg/dL; after meals, it should not cross the 180 mg/dL mark.

Symptoms of blood sugar imbalance
When the blood sugar is lower than average, the condition is called hypoglycemia. In this condition, the affected person can experience symptoms like shaking, nausea, hunger, sweating, difficulty in concentration, dizziness, headache, anxiety, irritability, and pale skin. There can also be a tingling numbness in the tongue or lip and cheek. If the symptoms are not addressed, they can worsen and lead to slurred speech, blurry vision, loss of coordination, confusion, inability to complete tasks, and nightmares.

The condition is called hyperglycemia, when the blood sugar is higher than the average range. And the signs of this include dry mouth, blurred vision, itchy skin, yeast infections, numbness or pain in the feet or legs, increased thirst, and cuts and sores that heal slowly.

Types of illness due to blood sugar imbalance

Type 1 diabetes
This condition affects children and young adults, even teens. Type 1 develops when the immune system starts attacking its insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, and the cells cannot fight back. It is known to develop in the early years, and according to statistics, around 5 to 10 percent of diabetics have Type 1. There is no treatment to reverse the disease, but taking insulin daily is advised to manage the symptoms better.

Type 2 diabetes
This usually develops much later; it happens when the body does not know how to utilize the insulin released in the system. The cells in the body become resistant to the insulin produced in the body, and the pancreas cannot release more insulin. Due to this miscalculation, the blood sugar levels are imbalanced, leading to high or very low sugar levels. According to statistics, around 90 to 95 percent of those with diabetes have Type 2.

Gestational diabetes
As the name suggests, this is a type of diabetes that could affect pregnant women. Due to the overload of hormones, the cells become resistant to insulin released by the pancreas, leading to this condition. This is usually a temporary state; however, it could risk the health of the baby and mother if not treated carefully. After the birth of the child, diabetes may subside, but the women are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

Food to avoid and consume

Sweetened beverages
These beverages will lead to a sugar imbalance in the body which is difficult to manage for those with diabetes. They are also high in carbohydrates and fructose content which causes complications. According to studies, fructose is linked with insulin resistance which can create severe complications, especially with type 2 diabetes.

Red meat
According to studies reported on NCBI, eating excess red meat increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Protein is important for a healthy lifestyle. However, avoid heavy or processed meats like bacon, fried meat, or even hot dogs. Instead, consider lean meats and include other protein-rich foods like seafood, eggs, or even plant-based proteins, like soybeans and tofu.