{"id":669,"date":"2019-08-01T07:32:58","date_gmt":"2019-08-01T07:32:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.diabetesasia.org\/magazine\/?p=669"},"modified":"2025-04-08T09:40:53","modified_gmt":"2025-04-08T04:10:53","slug":"diabetes-myths-and-facts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.diabetesasia.org\/magazine\/diabetes-myths-and-facts\/","title":{"rendered":"Does eating too much sugar give you diabetes?"},"content":{"rendered":"

You will have heard that eating sugar is the main reason for diabetes, but it is just a myth because diabetes maybe who do not consume much sugar. The truth is that diabetes does not start with sugar only but then begins when something changes your body’s energy into food.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

You may have wondered if eating too many sweets can cause\u00a0diabetes<\/a>. The simple answer is no. But there\u2019s more to know before giving in to those cravings for cookies, candy, and sweetened drinks.<\/p>\n

Because type 2 diabetes is not always linked to obesity and having diabetes means blood sugar levels are consistently too high.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re not overweight, eating extra sweets probably presents little risk of causing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes,\u201d says University Hospital endocrinologist Revital Gorodeski Baskin, MD<\/a>. \u201cHowever, prediabetes is very closely linked to diet and weight. If you consume high-sugar foods daily, you\u2019ll likely gain excessive weight and develop insulin resistance \u2013 the first sign of prediabetes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Does<\/p>\n

Sweets and Insulin Resistance<\/h2>\n

When you consume sugar \u2013 including complex carbohydrates which are broken down into sugar for energy \u2013 the pancreas produces insulin. Insulin is the hormone required to move glucose from the bloodstream into the body\u2019s cells and metabolize it for energy. If you eat sweets throughout the day, the pancreas works continuously to produce enough insulin.<\/p>\n

\u201cInsulin is a \u2018building\u2019 hormone: when it is present, the body is always building,\u201d explains Dr. Gorodeski Baskin. \u201cBut the body requires time to rest from building to allow for breakdown. Continual high insulin levels cause the body to become resistant and over time, insulin becomes completely ineffective.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Effects of Insulin Resistance<\/h2>\n

Being diagnosed with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes indicates that you have developed a state of insulin resistance. If the body resists the effects of insulin or doesn\u2019t make enough of it, glucose stays in the bloodstream. High blood sugar levels interrupt normal body system responses and healing and can cause nerve damage which can result in vision or limb loss.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, excess sugar not used for energy is stored as fat. This leads to weight gain and further insulin resistance. This results in type 2 diabetes, fatty liver, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, and other metabolic abnormalities. These are all signs and symptoms of metabolic syndrome, a consequence of prolonged excessive sugar consumption.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Are Fruit Sugars Okay?<\/h2>\n

While the sugar in cookies, cakes, and sweetened beverages is most often linked with excessive sugar intake, the sugar in fruit can contribute to insulin resistance if eaten in excess. But because fruits offer the benefits of fiber and many nutrients, they\u2019re a good alternative to sugary snacks and beverages.<\/p>\n

While all fruits are healthy, when comparing sugar content, berries are lower in sugar content than fruits such as watermelon, grapes, and pineapple. The key is to eat fruit in moderation to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.<\/p>\n

Artificial Sweeteners<\/h2>\n

Although artificial sweeteners don\u2019t raise blood sugar levels, they\u2019ve been found to cause an insulin response. The exact mechanism is not yet understood. However, it\u2019s important to allow for periods of fasting throughout the day to achieve lower blood sugar and insulin levels.<\/p>\n

If you drink an afternoon diet soda in between meals, blood sugar levels won\u2019t rise measurably, but an insulin rush will keep the bodybuilding and, over time, can lead to insulin resistance.<\/p>\n

Moderation Is Key<\/h2>\n

While eating lots of sugar occasionally doesn\u2019t directly cause diabetes in a normal-weight, healthy person, too much sugar can certainly be detrimental. Portion control and moderation are key. If you\u2019re consuming too much sugar on a daily or hourly basis, you will most likely gain weight and develop metabolic syndrome.<\/p>\n

\"Moderation<\/p>\n

What happens to sugar in the body?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When you think about sugar, you\u2019re probably thinking of \u201ctable sugar,\u201d the type added to coffee and tea or used in baking.<\/p>\n

But there are several types of sugar, and they have different effects on your body.<\/p>\n

The scientific name for table sugar is sucrose.\u00a0Sucrose is a disaccharide<\/a>, meaning it\u2019s made of two simple sugars: glucose and fructose.<\/p>\n

When you eat sucrose, the glucose goes directly into your bloodstream to be used for energy. Alternatively, it can be\u00a0stored<\/a>\u00a0in your muscles or as fat.<\/p>\n

Before fructose can be used as energy, most passes through your liver, where it\u2019s turned into glucose and fat.<\/p>\n

If you eat too much fructose, this process can lead to fatty deposits in your liver, unhealthy levels of blood fats called triglycerides, and excess\u00a0uric acid, all of which are linked to an increased risk of diabetes.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0most common<\/a>\u00a0sources of fructose are:<\/p>\n