Festive seasons in India are synonymous with sweetness, warmth, and celebration. Yet, while homes light up with happiness, hospitals often see another kind of surge in patients struggling with unstable blood sugar levels.
According to Dr. Adeela Anees, MBBS, MRCP, Diabetologist, this trend is both predictable and preventable. “As a diabetologist, I often observe a surge in cases of uncontrolled blood sugar during the festive seasons,” she explains. “Type 2 Diabetes is now a common diagnosis across the country, affecting all age groups and socio-economic statuses.”

During celebrations, people tend to indulge in sweets high in refined sugar and unhealthy fats. These combinations can rapidly raise glucose levels, forcing the pancreas to produce excess insulin. “The pancreas works overtime and eventually becomes less effective at producing insulin,” notes Dr. Adeela. Over time, this can lead to insulin resistance, a hallmark of Type 2 Diabetes and cause chronic fatigue, cravings, and weight gain.

Every bite of a traditional sweet such as jalebi, gulab jamun, or barfi sends a rush of glucose into the bloodstream. The body reacts by releasing insulin to regulate this spike. However, repeated overindulgence, especially within short periods like festive weeks disrupts this delicate balance.

Frequent glucose spikes not only overwork the pancreas but also “affect overall metabolism and trigger an inflammatory response in the body,” says Dr. Adeela. This inflammation contributes to insulin resistance, fatigue, and even cardiovascular risk. Moreover, chronic inflammation is increasingly linked to gut imbalance and immune dysfunction.

In other words, your sweet cravings may feel harmless, but they’re quietly stressing multiple systems of the body.

A study published in Nutrients (MDPI, 2020) found that desserts with a low glycemic index and load caused significantly smaller rises in blood glucose and insulin compared to traditional sugar-rich sweets in people with Type 2 Diabetes. Participants who ate the low-GI or GL dessert also felt fuller and less hungry afterward.¹

These findings suggest that frequent consumption of high-sugar traditional sweets such as jalebi or gulab jamun can lead to repeated glucose surges, while choosing lower glycemic options helps maintain better metabolic balance during festive eating.

Different types of dietary sugars and high intake levels can affect gut microbiota, intestinal barrier integrity, and mucosal immunity.

Gut Barrier and Microbiota

• Gut Microbiota refers to diverse community of microorganisms, bacteria, archaea, and eukarya that inhabit the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract. ²

• High sugar intake can disrupt the intestinal epithelial barrier, increasing gut permeability.

• This disruption is accompanied by imbalances in the gut microbiota, affecting microbial composition and function.

• These changes may impair mucosal immunity, making the gut more vulnerable to infections or inflammation.

Clinical and Public‑Health Implications

• Gastrointestinal effects of high sugar diets may contribute to systemic health issues beyond metabolic problems.

• Reducing sugar intake is beneficial for metabolic control and overall gastrointestinal health, especially in people at risk of related disorders.³

Avoiding sweets altogether isn’t realistic or necessary. The real solution lies in moderation and awareness. “Managing sugar intake while still enjoying the festive sweets in moderation is achievable,” emphasizes Dr. Adeela.

Here’s how to celebrate without compromising your health:

• Choose low-sugar or sugar-free desserts made with natural sweeteners like stevia, erythritol, or jaggery.

• Pair sweets with fiber and protein-rich foods to slow glucose absorption and prevent sudden spikes.

• Stay hydrated to improve metabolism and support digestion.

• Maintain physical activity, whether through a walk, dancing, or post-meal stretching.

• Eat sweets after balanced meals rather than on an empty stomach.

• Be mindful of portion sizes — one serving savored slowly is better than multiple eaten unconsciously.

These small habits allow you to enjoy traditional treats without inviting post-festival fatigue, digestive discomfort, or blood sugar crashes.

Festive joy doesn’t have to come at the cost of your health. As Dr. Adeela puts it:

This means rethinking the way we celebrate, focusing on balance rather than restriction. Homemade sweets with natural ingredients, conscious portion sizes, and staying active throughout the festive season can help maintain healthy blood sugar, gut, and dental health.

References:

1. Argiana, Vasiliki, Panagiotis T. Kanellos, Ioanna Eleftheriadou, Georgios Tsitsinakis, Despoina Perrea, and Nikolaos K. Tentolouris. 2020. "Low-Glycemic-Index/Load Desserts Decrease Glycemic and Insulinemic Response in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus." Nutrients 12 (7): 2153. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/7/2153?

2. Thursby, Elizabeth, and Nathalie Juge. "Introduction to the Human Gut Microbiota." Biochemical Journal 474, no. 11 (2017): 1823–1836. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5433529/

3. Arnone, Djésia, Caroline Chabot, Anne-Charlotte Heba, Tunay Kökten, Bénédicte Caron, Franck Hansmannel, Natacha Dreumont, Ashwin N. Ananthakrishnan, Didier Quilliot, and Laurent Peyrin-Biroulet. "Sugars and Gastrointestinal Health." Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology 20, no. 9 (2022): 1912–1924.e7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34902573/

_MSM