Jessie Inchauspé: French biochemist and bestselling author known as the 'Glucose Goddess,' famous for her Instagram glucose graphs and books on managing blood sugar. Her work translates clinical studies into easy diet hacks for a mass audience.
What this episode covers
Steven Bartlett and Jessie Inchauspé discuss why up to 80% of people spike their glucose daily and how those spikes drive fatigue, accelerated aging, inflammation, skin issues, infertility and mood swings. Jessie explains the biology of glucose, insulin, glycation and mitochondrial stress in plain language, then lays out her four core hacks plus the rest of her 10. She argues all sugar is the same molecule regardless of source, that calories miss the point, and that the modern food landscape is so toxic we invented GLP-1 drugs to stop people eating it. The conversation also covers fasting, menopause, Alzheimer's as 'type 3 diabetes,' coffee, and her own supplement, before closing on a personal story about a stranger who told her to keep going.
The guest's own work
Glucose Revolution
Jessie Inchauspé
“your books have sold millions and millions and millions of copies around the world your conversations online have millions of views”— Steven Bartlett
The Glucose Goddess Method
Jessie Inchauspé
“you took these hacks and you did an experiment right on page seven of your book the glucose goddess method you talk about this 2,700 person pilot experiment”— Steven Bartlett
Big reveals from this episode
- Her 2019 pilot of ~2,700 people across 110 countries found 90% reduced cravings and ~40% of those wanting to lose weight did, with no calorie restriction.
- Claims PCOS 'is not a real condition' but a cluster of symptoms, often driven by insulin resistance (60% of cases).
- Says three women doing her hacks for one month got their periods back and were able to get pregnant.
- Frames GLP-1 weight-loss drugs as proof the food system is broken: 'we've had to invent a drug to prevent people from eating the food around them.'
- Notes scientists now call Alzheimer's 'type 3 diabetes', diabetes of the brain.
- Admits she nearly quit a year and a half ago until a black cab driver told her 'whatever you're doing, it's important.'
- Steven reveals he quit coffee 31 days ago and sleeps and thinks better since.
Worth remembering
- One billion people worldwide have type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes, and the number rises daily.
- All sugar is the same molecule (sucrose), a fruit smoothie is no better for your glucose than chocolate cake.
- One tablespoon of vinegar in water before a meal can cut its glucose spike by up to 30%.
- Eating a meal in order, veggies, then protein/fat, then starch/sugar, can reduce its glucose spike by up to 75%.
- Calories are measured by literally burning food and measuring heat, which says nothing about what the food does inside you.
- Supermarket fruit is not natural, it's been bred for thousands of years to be sweeter, like wolves bred into Chihuahuas.
- A study had 300 married couples stick pins in spouse voodoo dolls; those with bigger glucose dips stuck in more pins.
- Up to 40% of weight lost on GLP-1 drugs is muscle, and people regain ~70% (as fat) after stopping.
- Drinking coffee after breakfast instead of before can cut its glucose spike by up to 50% in some people.