French Biochemist Jessie Inchauspé Reveals How a Simple Seated Calf Push-up After Meals Can Cut Blood Sugar Spikes by Half

French biochemist Jessie Inchauspé, popularly known as the “Glucose Goddess,” has highlighted the benefits of a simple exercise known as the soleus push-up, or seated calf raise, in reducing post-meal blood sugar spikes. Inchauspé holds a BSc degree in Mathematics from King’s College London (2012) and an MSc in Biochemistry from Georgetown University (2015). After her studies, she worked in the health-tech sector, including a role as product manager at genetics company 23andMe. It was there that she first experimented with wearing a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) during an internal pilot study, which sparked her interest in how blood sugar fluctuations impact overall well-being.

After eating carbohydrate-rich meals, blood glucose levels naturally rise. Repeated sharp increases in glucose can contribute to insulin resistance and increase the risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes. Although not diabetic herself, Inchauspé noticed a link between glucose spikes and mood swings in her own CGM readings. These personal insights motivated her to share practical strategies for managing blood sugar with a wider audience.

In 2015, she launched her Instagram account @glucosegoddess, where she began posting graphs of her glucose readings and sharing diet hacks such as food-ordering strategies to reduce spikes. The page quickly grew in popularity, and as of 2025, she has 5.5 million followers. She also runs a YouTube channel, “Glucose Revolution,” with over 1.5 million subscribers, where she posts similar science-based tips.

Inchauspé explained in a recent post that a short session of 5 to 10 minutes of soleus push-ups after a meal can help lower spikes in a practical and accessible way, and she even demonstrated the exercise online with a croissant experiment to show the reduced glucose curve.

The exercise involves sitting with feet flat on the floor and repeatedly lifting the heels up and down while keeping the toes in contact with the ground. Unlike many exercises that engage large muscle groups, this movement specifically activates the soleus muscle, located in the calf. It is so discreet that people can perform it at their desks at work, in classrooms, or even while relaxing at home without drawing attention.

Research has shown that the soleus muscle plays a unique role in glucose regulation. A study titled "A potent physiological method to magnify and sustain soleus oxidative metabolism improves glucose and lipid regulation" by Marc T. Hamilton et al. (2022), published in iScience journal, investigated this effect. In the study, participants performed calf raises continuously for several hours. The findings indicated that prolonged activation of the soleus muscle reduced post-meal blood glucose levels by 52 percent and decreased excess insulin by 60 percent.

Reports also noted that these calf raises improved fat metabolism in addition to glucose regulation, making the exercise doubly beneficial for metabolic health.

While five hours of calf raises is not practical in daily life, Inchauspé suggests that even shorter periods of 5 to 10 minutes after meals can provide measurable benefits. Since the exercise can be done while sitting at a desk, in school, or at home, it offers a discreet and convenient option for individuals looking to manage their blood sugar levels.

Medical experts emphasize that regular physical activity, balanced meals, and portion control remain important factors in blood sugar regulation. However, targeted exercises such as the soleus push-up may serve as an additional tool, particularly for individuals seeking small, practical adjustments to their routine.

This simple activity highlights how engaging specific muscles can influence metabolism and blood sugar control, offering an accessible strategy for everyday health management.

Reference:

1. Hamilton, Marc T., Deborah G. Hamilton, and Theodore W. Zderic. “A Potent Physiological Method to Magnify and Sustain Soleus Oxidative Metabolism Improves Glucose and Lipid Regulation.” iScience 25, no. 9 (August 5, 2022): Article 104869. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2022.104869.

(Rh/Eth/TL/MSM)