Glycerine is contraindicated in diabetes because it increases blood sugar. Which statement is true?

• A. It decreases blood sugar
• B. It increases blood sugar
• C. It has no effect on blood sugar
• D. It causes hypoglycemia

Answer: (B)

Glycerol from glycerine is a substrate for hepatic gluconeogenesis. After absorption, glycerol is converted in the liver to glycerol-3-phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate, which feed into glucose production. In diabetes, where insulin’s ability to suppress hepatic glucose output is impaired, this extra glucose released by the liver raises blood sugar. So the statement that glycerine increases blood sugar is true, which is why it’s avoided in individuals with diabetes. The other options—decreasing blood sugar, having no effect, or causing hypoglycemia—do not fit glycerol’s metabolic fate, since it tends to raise glucose rather than lower it.