John Myers
Excessive consumption of sweets is not a direct cause of diabetes. This widespread assumption stems from the fact that diabetes is also known as sugar disease. However, a distinction must be made between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The latter is often triggered by obesity and lack of exercise. Anyone who eats too many sweets and eats a generally unhealthy diet and hardly moves, runs the risk of becoming overweight and possibly also diabetes in the long run. Via this detour and under such circumstances, increased sugar consumption can actually trigger the metabolic disorder. However, excessive consumption of sweets is not the sole cause.
In both types of diabetes, the interaction of various factors usually leads to the onset of the disease, which can also include a genetic predisposition. Various genes are involved in the development of type 1 diabetes. The influence of other causes such as diet and certain infections are still being researched. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune reaction. As a result, the immune system of those affected attacks the body’s own insulin-producing cells and gradually destroys them. Without insulin, glucose can no longer be transported into the cells and the blood sugar level has to be regulated by external insulin administration.
In type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance is one of the most common triggers for metabolic disorder. Sufficient insulin is produced in the process, but the glucose uptake by the cells does not function properly, meaning that the insulin cannot work properly. In response, the body often produces more insulin. Because this does not bring about any improvement, the body reduces insulin production again, resulting in an insulin deficiency.
However, a genetic predisposition can also be the cause of type 2 diabetes. In most cases, however, this only comes into play as a result of being overweight and lack of exercise. Lean people rarely get type 2 diabetes due to a so-called secretion disorder, in which too little insulin is produced.
In principle, diabetics of any type do not have to do without sugar and sweets. However, it is particularly advisable for you to achieve or maintain your normal weight. In type 2 diabetics, the body’s own insulin can break down carbohydrates more efficiently. It may be necessary to reduce calorie intake and avoid or limit consumption of sugary products. Otherwise, a balanced diet is just as important for diabetics as it is for healthy people. Special diabetic dishes are therefore neither necessary nor recommended. However, in order to keep the blood sugar level as constant as possible, foods with complex carbohydrates such as whole grain products are to be preferred.
