Indulging in your sweet tooth has that sense of satisfaction. You instantly feel good and there’s even science behind it. Researchers have found that sugar causes levels of dopamine to rise, but when we overdo it, we can even develop an addiction. When you think about diabetes, one of the first things that comes to mind is too much sugar. It’s made us wonder whether sugar will cause us to develop diabetes and while there is some truth to this, you need to look at things from a bigger perspective. We bust the myth that sugar alone will cause diabetes in this article.
Type 1 And Type 2 Diabetes Are Not The Same
While we’re going to focus on the role of sugar in the risk of diabetes, we first need to discuss the fact that there are different types of these diseases. Not every type of diabetes is the same.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and it’s not generally related to lifestyle factors. If you have this type of diabetes, it means your immune system is attacking your pancreas, even though this organ is healthy. It causes your pancreas to lose its efficiency in creating insulin. This causes a need for insulin injections to metabolize glucose and ensure it enters cells.
Type 2 diabetes, however, is often diagnosed later in life and is usually associated with certain lifestyle factors. While there are genetic factors that play a role in the risk, most people with type 2 diabetes first enter a state of prediabetes. When you have prediabetes, it means your body’s resistance to insulin has increased. Too much glucose remains in your blood circulatory system, and this eventually leads to hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes.
Can Sugar Alone Cause Type 2 Diabetes?
Now that you understand the difference, we should take a look at the fact that some believe sugar alone is a cause of type 2 diabetes. There are several reports and research papers that have looked at these claims, but it has been confirmed that sugar, on its own, is not the reason for type 2 diabetes to develop.
With this said, it’s important not to overindulge in sugar after learning this. While sugar does not cause the disease directly, it is sometimes considered one of the contributing factors behind type 2 diabetes.
It’s important to understand that the foods we eat usually do not only consist of sugar. For example, if you decide to have a glass of soda, you’re not only adding sugar to your body but also empty calories. These calories are what causes weight gain in the long run. The same goes for a candy bar that is not only loaded in added sugars, but also carbohydrates. Your body breaks the carbs in these foods into sugars, which then eventually enters the bloodstream in the form of glucose.
Obesity, Sugar, And Type 2 Diabetes
When it comes to the risk of diabetes, a sedentary lifestyle, along with eating too many calories, are often culprits that contribute to the disease. When you sit down for extended periods of time, your body only burns calories according to your resting basal metabolic rate.. Unfortunately, this type of lifestyle often leads to a calorie surplus. What this means is that you are eating more calories than what your body is capable of burning every day – and it’s a sure recipe for weight gain.
As you gain more weight, you become exposed to a higher risk of many diseases and adverse health effects. .
When you’re obese, it means cells throughout your body make it harder for glucose to enter your cells. This is because excess fat in your body is linked to a higher degree of insulin resistance. The less sensitive cells are to insulin, the lower the levels of glucose that will enter them.
Another thing to consider here is the fact that fat often starts to accumulate around the liver. This includes the area where the liver stores glucose, which can then be used later on by the body. When the liver is unable to store the excess glucose in your body, then your blood sugar levels rise. This is because all of this extra glucose continues to remain in your bloodstream.
This eventually becomes a vicious cycle. When the glucose remains in your blood circulatory system, it means the pancreas will respond by making more insulin. The goal of this action is to help your cells use this excess glucose. As your pancreas continues to work harder than normally, it eventually starts to experience greater levels of wear, making it less effective at making and secreting insulin into your body.
This rollercoaster effect continues to remain present in your body and causes insulin resistance. At this point, you are on your way to developing type 2 diabetes.
Does Turning To Sugar-Free Or Artificially Sweetened Products Help?
Some people consider moving to sugar-free foods and drinks, with the hopes that these products will reduce their risk of diabetes. There are some situations where a switch to a sugar-free soda or snack can help, but you still need to consider the carbohydrate content, as well as the number of calories in these items.
If you decide to switch to diet soda, for example, then you may find that you are not packing as many calories into your body as usual. A standard 12-ounce can of Coke contains about 140 calories, for example. Compare this to the exceptionally low-calorie count of a diet soda, and you’ll see how you can reduce your calorie intake.
When it comes to snacks and food, however, even sugar-free options will still contain carbs and calories. Keep an eye on the labels of these products to determine how they will affect you.
Bottom Line
Sugar can raise your blood glucose levels, but it’s not the sole cause of diabetes. It’s important to understand what factors can influence your body’s insulin sensitivity and production. This can give you a better overview of what causes diabetes to develop, and ensure you understand how sugar can still be incorporated in your daily life without raising your risk for this disease.