Glucose tests measure the level of sugar in the blood. For a fasting glucose test, you should eat or drink nothing but clear liquids within eight hours of the test. For a standard or random glucose test, any substance that contains sugar will affect the results of the test. Some sugar substitutes are sugar-free, while others contain natural sugars. Check with your doctor if you are unsure what types of foods will affect your glucose test.
Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners are, by definition, sugar-free, and provide an artificial sweet taste. Popular commercial artificial sweeteners include aspartame, saccharin, sucralose and acesulfame potassium. These can be found in diet soft drinks, diabetic candies, low-calorie cookies and cakes, pudding, and yogurt. These sweeteners are considered safe for consumption by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and, according to MayoClinic.com, are healthy alternatives to sugar because they add few or no additional calories to the diet. However, until more is understood about these chemical sweeteners, it is best to check with your doctor before using these substitutes when taking glucose tests.
Natural Sweeteners
Some sugar substitutes are actually natural sweeteners. This can be confusing because they may be advertised as healthier, but this does not necessarily mean they do not contain sugar. Some common natural sweeteners include honey, molasses, agave nectar and stevia, a naturally sweet herb. Aside from stevia, the other natural sweeteners still contain sugar, and although they may be touted as low-calorie, they still will affect blood sugar tests. Other natural foods that affect glucose tests include fruit and fruit juices; complex-carbohydrate foods like bread, cereal and pasta; and starchy vegetables such as potatoes, beets and carrots.
Benefits
Aside from managing your blood sugar levels, reducing sugar in your diet can help you maintain a healthy weight. It can also help protect against tooth decay. Limiting sugar in the diet can help prevent Type II diabetes and help manage the disease once it's been diagnosed. Artificial sweeteners make an excellent alternative for those who crave sweets but want to decrease sugar in their diet. However, chemical sweeteners have been the subject of controversy in the past because of the belief that they can lead to serious health problems such as cancer. Check with your health care provider for healthy sugar substitutes.
Considerations
In addition to sweeteners, other substances that can affect your glucose blood test include antidepressants, diuretics, beta blockers, corticosteroids, estrogen, aspirin and oral contraceptives, all of which can increase your blood sugar levels. Additionally, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, acetaminophen, anabolic steroids, clofibrate, disopyramide, gemfibrozil, phentamidine, sulfonylurea medications and alcohol can all decrease your blood sugar levels and affect your test results. Make sure your doctor is aware of any and all medications if you have been scheduled for a fasting glucose test or if you are diabetic and regularly check your blood sugar levels.
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