Kristen Bell's blood sugar trick draws expert scrutiny

On the Emmys 2025 red carpet, actress Kristen Bell’s approach to biohacking drew attention after Justine Lupe, her Nobody Wants This co-star, described Bell’s preference for fiber-heavy strategies to stabilize blood sugar before meals.

Lupe described Bell preloading with spinach or other leafy greens before carbohydrates. Greens slow carbohydrate absorption; substitutes include apple cider vinegar or the fiber supplement Metamucil; "It supposedly stabilizes your glucose," Lupe said. "You can thank Kristen Bell for that, everyone."

Registered dietitian Amy Shapiro told Fox News Digital that there’s "actually some science" behind Bell’s approach. Preloading the body with fiber can "slow glucose absorption into the bloodstream," according to Shapiro. "When your gut bacteria are well-fed, they produce beneficial properties that support improved digestion and overall health."

"Palms... Christina Palmisano told Fox News Digital that apple cider vinegar is a source of prebiotic fiber, which is "food for gut bacteria." "When your gut bacteria are well-fed, they produce beneficial properties that support improved digestion and overall health," she said. "Several studies show that apple cider vinegar can help with weight loss and blood sugar regulation."

Apple cider vinegar can also assist in the breakdown of food, supporting weight loss. Stable blood glucose response can also boost mood, sharpen focus and promote fullness, Shapiro told the Post. "While it’s not a magic bullet, both strategies can make a measurable difference in glucose response for many people," Shapiro said. "If I had to rank them, I’d put real food fiber (leafy greens) first, supplemental fiber (Metamucil) second and vinegar as an optional add-on." The expert cautioned that the acid from apple cider vinegar may bother the stomach and may not be right for everyone.

Fibermaxxing, or boosting daily dietary fiber intake, has been a growing trend. Robin DeCicco, a certified holistic nutritionist in New York, recently spoke with Fox News Digital about the benefits of increasing fiber intake. "Everything from gastrointestinal health to cardiovascular health, weight management, prevention of diabetes and certain cancers, to feeling fuller throughout the day and minimizing cravings for sugars and starches, are all major benefits of fiber intake," she said. DeCicco encourages adding color to each meal, as well as using nuts and seeds as "accessories" to add fiber throughout the day. The nutritionist recommends incorporating fiber slowly, as too much at once can be harsh on the stomach. "Color is synonymous with fiber — berries with breakfast, snacks consisting of carrot and celery sticks with pumpkin and sunflower seeds, or apple slices with natural peanut butter, and meals with side salads," she suggested. "Health is individualized," DeCicco said. "If you have certain pre-existing gastrointestinal conditions, this is not a trend to follow without making adjustments."

Fox News Digital’s Gabriele Regalbuto and Ashlyn Messier contributed to this report. Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for Fox News Digital.