If your fasting blood sugar levels are consistently high despite not eating overnight, you may be experiencing something called the “Dawn Phenomenon”, a natural hormonal process that affects many people with diabetes. Speaking about the condition, certified nutritionist and dietitian Shweta Panchal explained in her June 19 Instagram post why blood sugar can rise in the early morning hours even when no food has been consumed. (Also read: ‘90% people fail this test’: Bhagyashree shares simple fitness tests to check your ‘real age’ on International Yoga Day )
What is ‘Dawn Phenomenon’
“Your fasting blood sugar is high. You didn’t eat anything, and you think it’s your fault. It’s not. It’s the Dawn Phenomenon. And almost no diabetic knows it exists,” says Shweta. According to her, the body’s hormones play a significant role in this early morning blood sugar spike.
“Between 2 AM and 8 AM, your body naturally releases cortisol and growth hormone, signalling your liver to release stored glucose. This happens to everyone. But in diabetics, insulin cannot manage that extra glucose efficiently, so fasting sugar spikes without you eating a single thing,” she adds.
How to manage it
Shweta recommends a few simple lifestyle changes that may help reduce the morning glucose surge:
1. Eat dinner early: Eat dinner by 7 PM. Late, heavy meals worsen the overnight glucose release.
2. Hydrate first thing in the morning: Drink water first thing in the morning, before tea or coffee.
3. Prioritise a protein-rich breakfast: Have a protein-based breakfast within 30 minutes of waking. This stabilises the glucose spike quickly.
4. Take a short morning walk: A 10-minute walk after waking up can help. Muscle contractions pull glucose out of your blood without needing insulin.
5. Never skip breakfast: Skipping breakfast raises cortisol further and worsens the spike.
Understanding your body’s signals
Shweta emphasises that managing morning blood sugar isn’t always about increasing medication. “This is not about more medication. It’s about understanding what your body is actually doing.”
The Dawn Phenomenon highlights the complex relationship between hormones, liver function and blood sugar regulation. For people living with diabetes, understanding these natural body processes can be an important step toward better glucose management and healthier daily habits.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
