Jessie Inchauspé: Biochemist and author known as the Glucose Goddess, who writes about balancing blood sugar after her own health journey following a broken back at 19.
What this episode covers
Jessie Inchauspé describes how a near-fatal waterfall accident at 19 left her with a broken back and a year of depersonalization episodes, which set her on a quest to understand the body. While working in genetics she discovered that her mental health worsened when her blood sugar was on a roller coaster, leading her to study glucose deeply. She explains what glucose is, how spikes damage mitochondria, drive glycation (aging), trigger insulin release and inflammation, and link to cravings, fatigue, brain fog, PCOS, infertility, diabetes and more. She then walks through practical hacks from her books to flatten the glucose curve without giving up the foods you love. The episode closes with vulnerable answers to the Diary of a CEO conversation cards.
The guest's own work
The Glucose Revolution: The Life-Changing Power of Balancing Your Blood Sugar
Jessie Inchauspé
“You wrote a book called The Glucose Revolution. The life-changing power of balancing your blood sugar. We got that book last year.”— Steven Bartlett
The Glucose Goddess Method
Jessie Inchauspé
“And I have a new book, The Glucose Goddess Method, that just came out... The Glucose Goddess Method is a 4-week guide to actually get started.”— Jessie Inchauspé
Also referenced (named, not recommended)
The Diary of a CEO Conversation Cards
The Diary of a CEO
“On the front of it, it says The Diary of a CEO conversation cards... These are available at thediary.com.”— Steven Bartlett
Coca-Cola
The Coca-Cola Company
“The molecules in the apple juice and in the can of Coke are the same. Your body does not make a difference.”— Jessie Inchauspé
Nutella
Ferrero
“I grew up eating drinking orange juice and a Nutella crepe every morning for breakfast.”— Jessie Inchauspé
Big reveals from this episode
- Inchauspé claims the more glucose spikes you have, the faster you die and age.
- A 2018 study revealed most people without diabetes still experience daily blood sugar spikes without knowing it.
- Eating food in the right order (veggies, then protein/fat, then starches/sugars) can reduce a meal's glucose spike by up to 75%.
- One tablespoon of vinegar in water before a meal can reduce the glucose spike by up to 20%.
- Glucose spikes are linked to cravings, fatigue, poor sleep, brain fog, acne, aging, Alzheimer's, cancer, infertility and PCOS.
- More insulin raises testosterone in females, driving PCOS symptoms; balancing glucose can reverse it.
- A can of fruit juice contains almost as much sugar as a can of Coca-Cola, with no protective fiber.
Worth remembering
- Inchauspé broke her back jumping off a 30-foot waterfall in Hawaii, walking a mile through jungle before realizing the injury.
- Her vertebra was in 13 pieces, requiring surgery with a metal cage and 3-inch nails drilled into her spine.
- Some scientists call Alzheimer's 'type 3 diabetes' because of its tight link to glucose levels.
- Three out of five people in the world will die of an inflammation-based disease.
- Calories were originally measured by burning food and recording how much surrounding water heated up.
- Fiber forms a viscous protective mesh on the intestine wall that slows glucose absorption.
- The soleus muscle in the calf is especially good at soaking up glucose, so calf raises after eating help.
- Sugar releases dopamine, the same pleasure molecule triggered by sex, video games and drugs, making it addictive.
- Inchauspé stresses sugar gives pleasure (dopamine), not real biological energy.