Can Grounding Help with Blood Sugar Control?
Yes, grounding might help lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. A study from Poland found that fasting glucose levels dropped after just three days of grounding.
The participants didn’t change their food, medicine, or daily routine. They just stayed grounded.
The Basics of the Study
Twelve people with type 2 diabetes took part. They had been taking glibenclamide (10 mg/day) for six months, but their blood sugar still wasn’t where it should be. So, the researchers asked them to try grounding.
Each person strapped a copper plate to their leg, which was connected to another copper plate outside, in contact with the ground. They stayed grounded like this for 72 hours, including while they slept.
What Happened After Three Days?
After the three days, their fasting blood sugar went down. That was the only change—no new diet, no added exercise, and no medication changes. The researchers described the drop as meaningful, even though exact numbers weren’t shared in the summary.
For people who had been stuck with high readings for months, that kind of result in a few days stood out.
How Could This Be Happening?
We don’t fully understand why, but there are a few possible reasons:
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Cortisol: Grounding might help reset cortisol levels, and cortisol plays a role in how the body handles blood sugar.
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Inflammation: Less inflammation can help the body respond to insulin more effectively.
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Nervous system: Grounding may support the body’s rest-and-recovery state, which might reduce stress and improve glucose control.
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Blood flow: Better circulation could help with moving glucose more efficiently through the body.
This Isn’t a Replacement for Medicine
If you have diabetes, your doctor’s advice comes first. This study doesn’t mean grounding can replace treatment. But if your blood sugar is hard to manage despite doing the right things, grounding might be worth exploring as an extra step.
It also helps that the people in this study weren’t using insulin or changing any part of their regular plan. That makes the effect from grounding easier to see.
Why This Study Matters
Yes, it was a small group—12 people—but the study was tightly controlled. Everyone followed the same routine and was grounded for three days straight, even while sleeping. That consistency makes the findings more reliable.
Most treatments take weeks to show results. Seeing changes in 72 hours is unusual and worth noting.
Keep It in Perspective
This was a short-term study. We don’t know what would happen over a more extended period or with a larger group. But it does raise reasonable questions about how the body might respond to being grounded more often.
How to Try Grounding Yourself
You don’t need expensive equipment. Here are a few simple ways:
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Walk barefoot on soil, grass, or sand for about 30 minutes
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Use a grounding mat or sheet at home
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Sleep grounded if you have a safe setup
If you take medication for blood sugar, speak with your doctor first. If grounding makes a difference, your medication might need to be adjusted.
Final Thoughts
Grounding might help with blood sugar regulation, especially for people with type 2 diabetes who are still having trouble despite treatment. It’s not a cure, and it’s not a replacement for medical care. But it’s simple to try, costs little or nothing, and could help more than expected.
This one study showed noticeable change in just three days. That doesn’t happen often. More research is needed, but grounding might be worth a try if you’re looking for something extra to add to your routine.
References
- Sokal, K., & Sokal, P. (2011). Earthing the human body influences physiologic processes: A review of the evidence. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 17(4), 301–308. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2010.0687
