Does eating too much sugar cause diabetes?
Contrary to popular belief, eating too much sugar or sweet foods does not cause diabetes. That doesn’t mean that excessive sugar intake isn’t a factor. The main risk factors for type 2 diabetes are a diet high in calories, being overweight, and an inactive lifestyle. Therefore, too many calories, which may be coming from sugar or sweet foods, will contribute to excess weight gain and that excess weight gain can lead to type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes is probably best understood by those afflicted with the condition. Ingesting sweets as part of our regular diet does not cause diabetes. This myth was born when it was noticed that untreated diabetics tend to be attracted to sweets. Diabetes is characterized by “starvation in the midst of plenty”. Diabetics suffer a metabolic disorder in which body cells are unable to properly absorb the sugar molecules essential for life giving energy. When cells are starved of sugar, they send messages to increase production and uptake. Great quantities of sugar may build up in the blood, but very little is able to get into the cell where it is required. Insulin is a precious hormone that is manufactured in the pancreas and is essential to transport sugar out of the blood and into the cell. By definition, diabetics suffer defects in either insulin secretion or its mode of action. Left unchecked, this condition can cause deterioration of kidneys, corneas, blood vessels and nerves. This result
Scientific evidence indicates that diets high in sugars do not cause diabetes. The most common type of diabetes occurs in overweight adults. Avoiding sugars alone will not correct overweight. To lose weight, reduce the total amount of calories from the food you eat and increase your level of physical activity.
