Misutgaru, a roasted grain powder drink popular in summer, is a high-glycemic-index food that sharply raises blood sugar, according to medical experts. Contrary to the common belief that it is a health food, its rapid absorption actually works against blood sugar management, they say.
According to the medical community Tuesday, misutgaru is a finely ground powder made from roasted grains such as barley, brown rice, beans, and glutinous rice. Mixed with water or milk, it offers a quick breakfast and is considered a representative summer meal replacement.
However, experts point out that finely ground grain powder, in liquid form, is absorbed quickly and has the characteristic of raising blood sugar sharply. Citing a case he measured himself, Director Lee said, "When I actually measured blood sugar after drinking misutgaru for breakfast, I confirmed that blood sugar rose from 97 to 184." He added, "It varies by person, but if blood sugar rises like this in the morning, it becomes harder to control blood sugar for the rest of the day."
Although it varies by grain type, barley misutgaru has a glycemic index (GI) in the low 60s, higher than that of white rice (low 50s). Being little different from or even higher than white rice runs contrary to the common belief that it is a "health food."
The problem grows when sugar or honey is added for sweetness. Sugar is absorbed quickly, sharply raising blood sugar, after which insulin is oversecreted and blood sugar drops again, causing hunger to set in early. Honey, at 64 kcal per tablespoon, is also higher in calories than sugar (53 kcal).
Repeated blood sugar surges and drops like this can burden the pancreas. Each time blood sugar rises, the pancreas must secrete large amounts of insulin, and if this state persists for a long time, the function of the beta cells that produce insulin declines and insulin resistance increases, which can raise the risk of type 2 diabetes, according to the explanation.
A study published in the international journal The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology also found that the greater the fluctuation in blood sugar after meals, the greater the risk of insulin resistance and declining beta cell function. Experts recommend boiled eggs instead of misutgaru as a breakfast option for those who need to manage their blood sugar. The reason is that eggs are rich in protein, which keeps one feeling full longer and helps maintain muscle mass.
