PAYDAY EXCLUSIVE | 15% OFF £30

Code:PAYDAY
 

PAYDAY EXCLUSIVE | 15% OFF £30

Code:PAYDAY

Buy 1 Get 1 Free: One week onlyOffersOffers HubBuy one get one 1/2 priceSave up to 1/2 PriceBuy 1 Get 1 FreeBuy 1 get 1 free eventGreat SavingsShort DatedBetter than 1/2 price2 for £60 Mix & MatchVitamins & SupplementsVitamins & Supplements HubVitamins & Supplements Shop AllCBDShop all CBDCBD OilCBD CapsulesCBD SprayCBD GummiesCollagen & SilicaHair, Skin & NailsShop all Hair, Skin & NailsHair GrowthFunctional MushroomsVitaminsShop all VitaminsMultivitaminsVitamin AVitamin BVitamin CVitamin DVitamin EVitamin KVitamin DrinksMineralsShop all MineralsMagnesiumIronZincCalciumSeleniumChromiumSupplementsShop all SupplementsFibre SupplementsAcidophilus & Friendly BacteriaPeppermint OilGrapeseed ExtractLecithinCollagen & SilicaOmega & Fish OilsPlant Sourced SupplementsSuperfood SupplementsArnicaApple CiderRaspberry KetonesAloe VeraChondroitin & MSMCo Enzyme Q10Evening Primrose OilGarlicGinkgo BilobaGlucosamineGlucomannanSeaweed, Kelps and Aquaceuticals5 HTPSaw palmettoCharcoalWomen's HealthShop all Women's HealthMenopauseMenstrual SupportUrinary Tract HealthPregnancy & ConceptionMen's HealthShop all Men's HealthProstate HealthChildren's HealthConditionShop all ConditionWater RetentionAllergy & Hay Fever CareAnxiety SupportBone & Muscle HealthMuscle Support & Joint PainBrain & Memory SupportWomen's HealthMen's HealthChildren's HealthPain ReliefCold & Immune SupportFatigueDigestive HealthHair, Skin & NailsHeart & CirculationLiver CareMood SupportSexual HealthSleep & RelaxationStress ReliefVisionHerbal & Licensed RemediesShop all Herbal & Licensed RemediesValerianSt John's WortRescue RemedyAgnus CastusAshwagandhaEchinaceaMilk ThistleDevil's ClawGinseng & GuaranaBlack CohoshHomeopathic & Flower RemediesShop all Homeopathic & Flower RemediesRescue RemedyTissue SaltsFlower RemediesHomeopathic RemediesAt-Home TestsVegan Vitamins & SupplementsBuy one get one 1/2 priceBuy 1 Get 1 FreeBuy 1 get 1 free eventHolland & BarrettVitabioticsSolgarNew NordicWeledaBach Original Flower RemediesBioglanBetterYouNatures AidGrass & Co.Dairy FreeGluten FreeSesame Seed FreeCelery FreeCereal FreeCrustaceans FreeEgg FreeFish FreeKiwi FreeLupin FreeNew inFood & DrinkFood & Drink HubFood & Drink Shop AllComic ReliefEasterVegan FoodHoney, Jams & SpreadsShop all Honey, Jams & SpreadsManuka HoneyHoneyJams & ChutneysNut ButtersSpreadsPateTeas & Hot BeveragesShop all Teas & Hot BeveragesCoffee & Coffee SubstituteMushroom DrinksGreen TeaPeppermint TeaHerbal TeaFruit TeaSlimming TeaSleep & Relaxation TeaDried Fruit, Nuts & SeedsShop all Dried Fruit, Nuts & SeedsNutsDried FruitSeedsMixesSuperfoodsShop all SuperfoodsSuperfood PowdersMaca PowderGoji BerriesBaobabMoringa PowderFlaxseedSpirulinaChia SeedsSnacksShop all SnacksProtein BarsLow Calorie SnacksChocolate, Cakes & BiscuitsSavoury SnacksSweet SnacksSnack BarsCrisps & ChipsFlapjacksPopcornFood CupboardShop all Food CupboardHoney, Jams & SpreadsBreakfast CerealsSuperfoodsApple Cider VinegarCondiments & SaucesTinned FoodsRice, Pasta, Pulses & GrainsBreakfast CerealsShop all Breakfast CerealsCereals, Bran & FlakesGranolaMuesliOats & PorridgeBreakfast BarsDrinksShop all DrinksKombuchaNatural Energy DrinksJuicesSoft DrinksWaterAlcohol Free DrinksCookingShop all CookingCooking IngredientsApple Cider VinegarCondiments & SaucesSoya & Meat AlternativeSoup & Ready MealsRice, Pasta, Pulses & GrainsHerbs, Spices & SeasoningGravy & StockHome BakingShop all Home BakingBaking MixesBreadFlourSweeteners & Sugar AlternativesEgg SubstitutesDairy AlternativesShop all Dairy AlternativesOat, Rice & Hemp DrinksSoya DrinksNut DrinksCoconut DrinksNutritionally Complete FoodBuy one get one 1/2 priceBuy 1 Get 1 FreeSave up to 1/2 PriceHolland & BarrettNaturyaGrenadeHeath & HeatherPukkaMeridianNakdTwiningsBionaManuka DoctorGluten FreeDairy FreeEgg FreeWheat FreeMustard FreeCelery FreeCrustaceans FreeFish FreeKiwi FreeMollusc FreeNew inSports NutritionSports Nutrition HubSports Nutrition Shop AllProteinShop all ProteinClear ProteinWhey ProteinMass GainersVegan ProteinDiet ProteinCaseinBars, Drinks & SnacksShop all Bars, Drinks & SnacksEnergy BarsEnergy DrinksProtein BarsProtein ShakesProtein SnacksNutritionally Complete FoodMeal Replacement ShakesPre Workout & EnergyShop all Pre Workout & EnergyPre WorkoutAmino Energy DrinksAmino Energy PowdersIntra WorkoutKetoPost WorkoutAmino AcidsShop all Amino AcidsAmino Energy PowdersAmino Energy DrinksBCAAL-LysineGlutamineCarnitineArginineCreatineShop all CreatineCreatine PowderCreatine CapsulesSports SupplementsShop all Sports SupplementsTestosteroneSports CollagenRehydrationShop all RehydrationElectrolytesEnergy GelsVegan Sports NutritionShop all Vegan Sports NutritionVegan ProteinVegan Protein BarsVegan Pre Workout & EnergyVegan Amino AcidsVegan CreatineSports AccessoriesShop all Sports AccessoriesBottles & ShakersFitness EquipmentFitness GoalShop all Fitness GoalRecoveryMuscle & StrengthLean MuscleEnergy & EnduranceDiet & Weight LossSave up to 1/2 PriceBuy one get one 1/2 priceGreat SavingsOptimum NutritionPE NutritionUSNGrenadePhDApplied NutritionFoodspringSiSHuelYfoodDairy FreeGluten FreeSugar FreeCelery FreeCereal FreeCrustaceans FreeEgg FreeFish FreeKiwi FreeLupin FreeNew inBeautyBeauty HubNatural Beauty Shop AllAromatherapy & HomeShop all Aromatherapy & HomePure Essential OilsBlended Essential OilsBase & Carrier OilsHolisticSkincareShop all SkincarePremium SkincareFace CareBody CareSun CareTanning & BronzingEye CareLip CareFoot CareHand & Nail CareSkin AilmentsSkin OilsCBD BeautyHair Skin & NailsWashing & BathingShop all Washing & BathingShampoo & ConditionerBathing AccessoriesShower Gel & Body WashDeodorantDentalHand WashSoapBath Soak & OilBody ScrubBath Bombs & SaltsFeminine CareIncontinence SupportHair CareShop all Hair CareShampoo & ConditionerHair ColouringHair MasksHair Oil & SerumHair Spray, Gel & MousseHair AccessoriesMother & BabyShop all Mother & BabyBaby Skincare & ToiletriesElectrical WellnessSexual WellnessBuy one get one 1/2 priceSave up to 1/2 PriceBuy 1 get 1 free eventDr OrganicFaith in NatureWeledaNaturtintTisserandMiaromaSukinQ+AEthiqueSo EcoAlcohol FreeParaben FreeSLS FreeParfum FreePalm Oil FreeGluten FreeCelery FreeCereal FreeCrustaceans FreeEgg FreeNew inCBDWeight ManagementWeight Management HubWeight Management Shop AllSlimming TabletsFat Burners, Binders & Appetite SuppressantsShop all Fat Burners, Binders & Appetite SuppressantsFat BurnersFat BindersAppetite SuppressantsShakes & Weight Management ShotsShop all Shakes & Weight Management ShotsMeal Replacement ShakesWeight Management ShotsDiet ProteinDiet Food & DrinkShop all Diet Food & DrinkDiet FoodLow Calorie SnacksSlimming TeaExercise SupportShop all Exercise SupportFitness EquipmentMeal Replacement ShakesDiet ProteinProtein BarsBuy one get one 1/2 priceSave up to 1/2 PriceGreat SavingsGrenadeOptimum NutritionHolland & BarrettUSNPulsinPhDApplied NutritionEat WaterNatures AidNew NordicDairy FreeGluten FreeSugar FreeWheat FreeNew inVeganHealth & WellnessShop all Health & WellnessJoints Bones & MusclesGut HealthHair Skin & NailsStress AnxietySleep & RelaxationBuy one get one 1/2 priceSave up to 1/2 PriceBuy 1 Get 1 FreeHolland & BarrettVitabioticsWeledaDr OrganicSolgarNew NordicNaturtintOptimum NutritionBounceHeath & HeatherDairy FreeGluten FreeParaben FreeSLS FreeAlcohol FreeParfum FreeCelery FreeCereal FreeCrustaceans FreeEgg FreeNew inShop for your WellnessMuscle & Joint PainImmunityGut HealthMenopauseWomen's HealthFood & DietSleep & RelaxationStress ReliefHealthy HeartEnergyLow Mood & DepressionConcentration & AlertnessEye HealthSexual HealthChildren's HealthLearn about WellnessJoints, Bones & MusclesImmunityGut HealthMenopauseFood & DietSports & FitnessSleep & RelaxationHair Skin & NailsAll articlesHealthFood & nutritionGut healthImmunityJoints, bones & musclesWomen's healthWellnessHair & skinMental wellbeingSeasonalSleep & relaxationSports nutritionRecipesAll recipesGluten freeLow sugarVeganDairy freePodcast
Woman eating a cake by a window

How low magnesium affects your blood sugar

23 Nov 2022 • 1 min read

If you always crave something sweet at 3pm, you could have low magnesium levels. Here’s how the mineral works to maintain healthy blood sugar. We tend to think of magnesium as a stress reliever – it’s found in Epsom bath salts to soothe tired muscles – but studies show it also plays an important role in keeping our blood sugar levels steady too. So how does magnesium help support a healthy blood sugar balance, and beat those mid-afternoon cake cravings?

What is blood sugar?

When we eat, food makes its way through the stomach and intestines, and is converted into glucose or blood sugar, our bodies’ fuel. In response, the pancreas pumps out insulin – a hormone that helps your cells absorb glucose for energy – and your blood sugar levels start to fall. But if you eat a big starchy meal with lots of white carbohydrates or sugar, such as cake or white pasta, the body receives too much glucose and responds by releasing increased amounts of insulin. This brings your blood sugar levels down, but by far too much. Symptoms of low blood sugar – called hypoglycaemia – include: • feeling cloudy headed • tired or a lack of energy • hungry • shaky and weak • nauseous • dizzy If this keeps happening over time, your body could stop responding to the insulin it makes (called insulin resistance) or stop producing insulin altogether, leading to diabetes. Handpicked content: How to fight fatigue

What does magnesium do?

Magnesium plays an important role in helping your body convert glucose from your food into fuel. If you don’t have enough magnesium in your body, your cells can become less effective at using insulin. In fact, a 2003 study of 219 women published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that those with higher magnesium intakes had lower fasting insulin levels.1 This means that they were more sensitive to the insulin in their bodies, so their blood sugar levels were more stable. A later study of 234 people by the Medical School of Yangzhou University, China, in 2013 concluded that ‘increasing dietary magnesium to meet the RDA has a protective effect on insulin resistance’.2 So how much magnesium do we need? The recommended daily amount (RDA) is 270mg for women and 300mg for men3 but studies show we’re not eating enough magnesium to benefit from its effects.4

How to balance your blood sugar

Nutrition experts recommend eating green leafy vegetables such as spinach, nuts, brown rice, dairy products and wholegrain foods to naturally increase your magnesium levels. Following some simple tips can also help maintain healthy blood sugar levels: • eat regularly, at the same times every day • don’t skip meals – research by Cornell University found meal-skippers bought 31% more junk food while food shopping later that day5 • eat balanced meals, with a good mix of protein, fats and carbohydrates to help avoid ‘sugar crashes’ Handpicked content: Keeping your blood sugars balanced with food
Advice is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please consult a doctor or healthcare professional before trying any remedies.
Shop our Vitamins & Supplements range.

Sources

1. Fung TT, et al. The association between magnesium intake and fasting insulin concentration in healthy middle-aged women. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14684759 2. Wang J, et al. Dietary magnesium intake improves insulin resistance among non-diabetic individuals with metabolic syndrome participating in a dietary trial. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24084051 3. NHS Choices. Vitamins and minerals. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/others/#magnesium 4. Gröber U, Schmidt J, Kisters K. Magnesium in Prevention and Therapy. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4586582/ 5. Stacey Shackford. Don't shop hungry, pre-order lunch to make healthier choices. Available from: http://news.cornell.edu/stories/2013/05/grocery-shopping-when-hungry-can-be-fattening
  • Visa
  • MasterCard
  • PayPal
  • AmericanExpress
  • ApplePay
  • ClearPay
  • AliPay
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Copyright © Holland & Barrett Retail Limited, 2023. All rights reserved. hollandandbarrett.com is a trading name of Holland & Barrett Retail Limited,. Registered office: Samuel Ryder House, Barling Way, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV10 7RH. Registered in England: company no. 2758955. Registered VAT no. 211727395.