I have been thinking about protein and its effect on the BG, and I wonder if my suspicion is correct.
Protein is not just fuel; it is an essential building block for our bodies. So, when we eat protein, the body uses it to maintain our tissues, most prominently muscle mass. If we don't eat enough protein, we lose muscle. This also means that the body only reluctantly metabolizes protein.
Given all that, I am suspecting that the body does not convert protein to glucose unless there is excess protein. So, unless the amount of protein is above a certain threshold, the body will use it all to maintain its own tissues; so, it will use it as building material. But if there's excess protein, it will convert that extra protein to glucose, to be burned as fuel. (Humans do not have protein stores, and instead, the muscles are broken down in times of dire need.)
This also means that if you are working out a lot, and your protein needs are higher, you won't see a BG bump even if you eat a big steak, while a couch potato will see a noticeable BG bump even from some chicken perhaps.
What do you guys think?
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