Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) have exploded in popularity, giving people real-time insight into how their bodies respond to food. But as more people track their blood sugar, a bigger question emerges: is blood glucose regulation only about what we eat?

In this episode, we explore the rapid rise of diabetes and metabolic dysfunction and look beyond diet alone. While ultra-processed foods and refined carbohydrates are often blamed, emerging discussions in health and biohacking communities suggest other environmental factors might also influence metabolism.

We examine how light exposure, circadian rhythms, sleep quality, and modern electromagnetic environments may interact with hormones like insulin and cortisol. From late-night screen exposure to artificial lighting and constant connectivity, modern lifestyles are very different from the natural light cycles humans evolved with.

Using CGM data as a lens, we discuss how factors such as stress, sleep, light timing, and daily rhythms can influence glucose responses—sometimes just as much as the meal itself.

The goal of this episode is to expand the conversation: blood sugar isn’t just about sugar it’s about the environment our metabolism lives in.

References:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a5M3zwS3GceSb7tYpBsj-blq4ZGq1GN7KC14l0sqHbk/edit?usp=sharing