For many years, skipping meals has often been seen as a disciplinary measure to reduce calorie intake and improve health. However, for people with diabetes or blood sugar disorders, this habit can have the opposite effect. According to Ayurveda medicine, the traditional medicine system of India, eating regularly and at the right time is the key factor to maintaining blood sugar stability.
Agni and the role of the digestive system in blood sugar control according to Ayurveda
In Ayurveda, Agni is understood as the "digest fire", responsible for converting food into energy to nourish the body. Diabetes, described as Prameha, is Agni's weakness and unstable activity.
According to Dr. Anjali Sangar, an Ayurveda doctor working at Sarvagun Ayurveda, New Delhi, India, skipping meals causes the digestive system to lose its natural rhythm. “When skipping meals, Agni becomes more erratic, leading to strong fluctuations in blood sugar instead of maintaining the balance that diabetics need,” she said.
Ayurveda believes that the digestive system works best when food is provided regularly. Eating at the wrong time weakens the ability to absorb glucose, and at the same time makes the body easily fall into a state of craving and overeating in later meals.
Skipping meals, stress hormones and risk of blood sugar disorders in people with diabetes
From a modern medical perspective, extending the distance between meals stimulates the body to secrete stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones force the liver to release the stored glucose into the blood, causing a sudden increase in blood sugar, followed by a rapid decrease.
According to Ayurveda, this is a manifestation of breaking the natural circadian rhythm. Skipping meals not only affects blood sugar but also reduces the amount of nutrients supplied to tissues. In the long run, this condition can increase fatigue, insulin resistance and metabolic stress, especially in people who are under control of diabetes.
Ayurveda does not encourage extreme fasting or continuous eating. Instead, this method emphasizes eating regularly, on time, stopping before being too full and choosing foods that help maintain stable energy. The core message is: stable blood sugar does not come from skipping meals, but from respecting the body's natural circadian rhythm through each balanced meal.
