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| Does Eating Sugar Cause Diabetes? |
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Melinda Glynn, RN |
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No, sugar doesn’t cause diabetes. Although diabetes has been called “sugar diabetes” for many years, eating sugar does not cause it.
There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes happens when your body’s immune system destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Type 1 is more common in children and currently, there is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is different from type 1. Type 2 diabetes is more common in adults and genetics play a strong role in type 2 diabetes, as do age, obesity and lifestyle. The main risk factors for type 2 diabetes are a diet high in calories, being overweight, and an inactive lifestyle. Obese individuals who eat a high-calorie diet and don’t participate in physical activity are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. In this case, too much sugar may provide excess calories, in the same way fat does. The resulting weight gain and obesity, which interfere with the action of insulin, can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes.
Studies have failed to produce evidence that links a sweet tooth with type 2 diabetes. A study of more than 39,000 women, for instance, found that those that ate the most sugar did not have an increased risk for the disease.
Although sugar does not cause diabetes, excessive calories does. Well-established science indicates that becoming overweight or obese raises the odds of developing type 2 diabetes. If you have a history of diabetes in your family - eat a healthy meal plan, manage your weight and exercise.
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