Sugar consumption does not directly cause diabetes. However, there is a link (correlation) between being overweight or obese and having type 2 diabetes. Consuming too many foods and beverages, including those high in sugar, can lead to weight gain over time. Excess weight gain raises your chances of developing type 2 diabetes.
Correlation denotes a relationship between two variables. However, this does not imply that a change in one variable will always result in a difference in the other. Causation denotes the existence of a cause-and-effect relationship or that a change in one thing causes a change in another.
This article discusses sugar and its relationship, as well as the symptoms of too much or too little sugar.
Sugar is not a direct cause.
Diabetes is linked to high blood glucose (blood sugar) levels, so it seems reasonable to assume that overeating sugar causes it. However, no high-quality research has identified sugar consumption as a direct cause of type 1 or 2 diabetes.
How do people develop diabetes?
Type 1 is not linked to diet or lifestyle choices. On the other hand, genetics and environmental risk factors are thought to play a role. For example, you are more likely to develop type 1 diabetes if you have a parent or sibling who has the disease.
Type 2 diabetes is a multifactorial disease with numerous causes and risk factors. Some risk factors are related to one’s way of life, such as being physically inactive or overweight.
Risk factors for type 2 diabetes
- Presence of prediabetes (in which average blood sugar levels are high but not high enough to diagnose diabetes)
- Being at least 45 years old
- Having a type 2 diabetic immediate family member (parent or sibling)
- Having suffered from gestational diabetes (that begins during pregnancy)
Positive lifestyle changes can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Examples are following a healthy eating pattern, engaging in regular physical activity, and losing weight if you’re overweight.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system wreaks havoc on the body’s ability to produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that aids the body’s use of blood glucose as fuel while also lowering blood glucose levels. Type 1 diabetes is most commonly diagnosed in childhood or adolescence but can occur at any age.
Type 2 is a long-term medical condition that worsens over time. Insulin resistance is common in type 2 diabetes, which means your body does not use insulin properly, resulting in high blood glucose levels.
What are the signs of an excess of sugar?
Some symptoms to look out for are if blood glucose levels become too high (hyperglycemia) due to insulin resistance, insufficient insulin, or other causes. High blood glucose levels are commonly associated with the following symptoms:
- Extreme thirst
- Urination has increased.
- heightened hunger
- hazy vision
- Fatigue
- recurring yeast infections
In severe cases, hyperglycemia may also result in the following:
- Unknown cause of weight loss
- Breath that smells sweet or “fruity.”
- Pain in the stomach, nausea, or vomiting
- Cuts or sores that are difficult to heal
- Numbness or tingling sensations in your hands or feet
If you have diabetes, this does not mean you cannot consume sugar. Sugar, like any other food, can fit into a well-balanced diet when consumed in moderation. However, when eating sugary foods, you can reduce the blood glucose response and increase your satiety by including protein and fat sources.
