IITian-nutrionist warns: Your morning bed tea habit could be making you fat and insulin resistant

bed tea. This long-standing tradition is more than just a habit—it’s a source of comfort, a morning ritual that signals the start of the day. However, IIT- IIT-biochemist and nutritionist Manish Bhagwani warns that this habit might be doing more harm than good, especially for those struggling with insulin resistance and metabolic health.
According to Bhagwani, the human body naturally prepares for the day by increasing cortisol levels before waking up. This surge elevates blood glucose, triggering a small release of insulin to provide energy for the morning ahead. While this is a normal process, the problem arises when individuals already have insulin resistance—something that affects more than 50% of urban Indians today. In such cases, the natural morning insulin spike is much higher, further complicating metabolic health.

How to check insulin resistance?

One way to assess insulin resistance is through the HOMA-IR parameter in a fasting blood test. This value is calculated by multiplying fasting insulin levels with fasting glucose and dividing by 405. A result above 1.8 indicates clinical insulin resistance, which can lead to weight gain, fatigue, and an increased risk of diabetes.

During the night, the body ensures a steady supply of glucose by converting stored glycogen in the muscles and liver. By the time morning arrives, essential organs like the brain, muscles, and tissues are already well-fueled. They do not require an immediate intake of sugar. Instead, what the body actually benefits from in the morning