Does Eating Sweets Cause Diabetes?

Diabetes is a serious condition in which, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the body either does not produce insulin or it does not properly use insulin. Insulin is the hormone needed to transfer energy (glucose) from food to your cells. Eating excessive sweets does not cause diabetes although it can aggravate it.

Types

What some people call "sugar diabetes" is actually Type 2 (non-insulin dependent/adult onset) diabetes. It is the most common diabetes, affecting 90 to 95 percent of all diabetics. Type 1 diabetes (juvenile) is the second most-common type.

Causes

According to the ADA, genetic and lifestyle factors cause Type 2 diabetes. The body does not make enough insulin or does not use the insulin it does make effectively to handle the extra glucose. Because obesity is so closely related to increased carbohydrate (sugar) intake, people sometimes mistakenly believe sweets cause diabetes. Type 1 (juvenile) diabetes is an auto-immune disorder. This means your body is attacking the cells that produce insulin.

Symptoms

Excessive food intake can trigger the symptoms of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes which include increased thirst, increased hunger, increased urination, sudden and unexplained weight loss, lethargy, irritability and blurry vision.

Treatment

According to the ADA, sweets can be eaten by the diabetic as long as they are part of a healthy diet along with exercise. Type 1 (juvenile) diabetics depend on daily insulin replacement to live. Type 2 diabetics may need insulin or oral medications.

Considerations

Poorly treated diabetes can lead to complications such as heart damage, kidney damage, eye damage, nerve damage, poorly healing wounds, frequent hospitalizations and death.

References

• American Diabetes Association