Post Time: 2025-07-18
A normal blood sugar range varies based on several factors such as age, sex, and health status. For adults without diabetes, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends a blood glucose level of 70-99 mg/dL after an overnight fast. This means that if you haven't eaten anything since waking up in the morning, your blood sugar levels should be between 70 and 99 milligrams per deciliter.
The Science Behind Normal Blood Sugar Range Explained
Insulin sensitivity plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy blood sugar range. When we eat, our body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, which is then absorbed into the bloodstream. Insulin, produced by the pancreas, helps to regulate blood sugar levels by facilitating glucose uptake in cells throughout the body. As people age or develop insulin resistance due to various factors like obesity and sedentary lifestyle, their bodies become less responsive to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.
How High and Low Blood Sugar Ranges Affect Your Health
Blood sugar fluctuations can significantly impact overall health, particularly for individuals with diabetes. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) occurs when glucose levels drop below 70 mg/dL, causing symptoms like shakiness, dizziness, and confusion. On the other hand, hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) is a concern as it can damage organs over time if left unmanaged.
The Importance of Tracking Your Blood Sugar Range
Monitoring your blood glucose levels regularly allows you to identify patterns and make necessary adjustments to maintain healthy ranges. By tracking changes in your lifestyle, such as diet or exercise routines, individuals with diabetes or prediabetes can gain a deeper understanding of how their habits affect blood sugar levels.
The Link Between Stress and Blood Sugar Range Fluctuations
Stress has been shown to significantly impact blood glucose regulation. When we experience stress, our body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which raise blood sugar levels by promoting the breakdown of stored energy sources in the liver (glycogen). This natural response can be beneficial during short-term periods but prolonged or chronic exposure to high stress levels may contribute to insulin resistance.
How Blood Sugar Range Affects Your Mental Clarity and Mood
Research suggests that imbalanced blood glucose levels are linked to cognitive impairment, including decreased concentration and memory. Furthermore, fluctuations in blood sugar have been correlated with anxiety and depression due to the complex interplay between gut health, neurotransmitters, and brain chemistry affected by dietary choices.
Before there was insulin, there was the “oatmeal cure.” The benefits of oatmeal for diabetics. This is just the first video in a three-part series, so stay tuned for How Does Oatmeal Help with Blood Sugars? ( and Oatmeal Diet Put to the Test for Diabetes Treatment ( My video What Causes Insulin Resistance? ( includes a cool visual about how exactly insulin works chromium and blood sugar to regulate blood sugar. I’ve got dozens of diabetes videos. Here’s a good overview: How Not to Die from Diabetes ( New subscribers to our e-newsletter always receive a free gift. Get yours here: hemoglobin a1c to blood sugar Have a question about this video? Leave it in the comment section at and someone on the NutritionFacts.org team will try to answer it. Want to get a list of links to all the scientific sources used in this video? Click on Sources Cited at You’ll also find a transcript and acknowledgements for the video, my blog and speaking tour schedule, and an easy way to search (by translated language even) through our videos spanning more than 2,000 health topics. Thanks for watching. I hope you’ll join in low blood sugar called the evidence-based nutrition revolution! -Michael Greger, MD FACLM Captions for this video are available in several languages; you can find yours in the video settings. View important information about our translated resources: • Subscribe: • Donate: • Podcast : • Facebook: www.facebook.com/NutritionFacts.org • Twitter: www.twitter.com/nutrition_facts • Instagram: www.instagram.com/nutrition_facts_org • Books: • Shop: