Does Eating Sugar Cause Diabetes? Here’s Your Answer

Sugar has been a staple in human diets for centuries. Starting from the days when our ancestors found sweetness in fruit to today’s vast array of sugary foods and drinks. The way we consume sugar has drastically changed. Our ancestors found their sweetness in fruits, which is a natural source. However, today, our sugar consumption extends far beyond just fruit. Sugar is now processed and added to numerous products like sodas, candies, and even fruit juices. 

Besides changing the sources of our sugar intake, this shift also has an impact on our health. For instance, during sugar processing, when fruit converts into juice, it loses its fibre. As a result, it leaves behind a high-sugar liquid that can cause our blood sugar levels to rise and fall sharply, unlike the more gradual impact of whole fruit.

Sugars come from diverse sources and go by many different names. Supermarkets also offer a variety of sugar options, including granulated sugar, brown sugar, and artificial sweeteners. The abundance of sugar choices in modern times makes it easier for people to give in to their natural desire for sweetness and consume more sugar than their bodies require.

However, it’s crucial to recognise that not all sugars are created equal, nor are they universally bad. Labelling all sugar as harmful oversimplifies the matter, especially when discussing the relationship between sugar and diabetes. Contrary to widespread belief, sugar is not the sole villain in the diabetes story. The reality is more nuanced. It involves the amount of sugar consumed and an array of other factors related to our metabolism.

Continue reading to understand how sugar consumption factors into diabetes.

How Sugar Affects the Body

Eating sugar sets off a complex process in your body. Most sugars break down in the small intestine. Here, enzymes change complex sugar molecules into simpler ones like glucose, galactose, and fructose. Your body stores glucose in muscles and the liver as glycogen, which is turned into energy when your body needs it.

As glucose enters the bloodstream, blood glucose levels rise. In response, the pancreas releases insulin to transport glucose throughout the body. However, with the consumption of large amounts of added sugar over time, cells can develop insulin resistance. It means the cells in our body start to ignore the signal of insulin, making it harder for glucose to enter the cells. As a result, sugar builds up in the bloodstream instead of being used for energy. Insulin resistance also increases the risk of inflammation, type 2 diabetes, PCOS, and other chronic conditions.

Everyone has had a sugar overload at some point. It leads to a quick insulin release, which aims to keep blood sugar stable. However, once the sugar effect diminishes, your body is left with excess insulin and insufficient glucose for energy, leading to the infamous ‘sugar crash’. 

Experiencing a sugar overload followed by a sugar crash can be uncomfortable. Still, it is generally not dangerous if it doesn’t occur very frequently. However, for individuals with diabetes, sugar overload can have more severe effects. The real worry is the long-term effects of overeating sugar.

It is necessary to practice moderation when consuming sugar. While we perceive brown sugar as potentially better, any sugar impacts blood sugar levels if it exceeds the recommended intake. It’s all about balance.

Sugar & Its Components

Sugar breaks down into two main parts: glucose and fructose. These are the simplest forms of carbohydrates. Glucose is our primary energy source, as it fuels everything from brain functions to muscles. When we consume foods containing carbohydrates, they break down into glucose during digestion. It, in turn, enters the bloodstream, causing blood sugar levels to rise.

Fructose is another component of sugar commonly found in fruits and added sugars like high-fructose corn syrup. It metabolises differently from glucose and can contribute to insulin resistance and other metabolic complications when consumed in excess.

An insulin spike occurs when blood sugar levels rise rapidly after consuming a meal high in carbohydrates or sugars. In response to increased blood glucose levels, the pancreas releases insulin. Therefore, this hormone helps cells absorb glucose from the bloodstream for energy or storage. However, in conditions like insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes, cells become less responsive to insulin. That leads to elevated blood sugar levels and subsequent insulin spikes. Over time, persistent insulin spikes can strain the pancreas, contribute to further insulin resistance, and increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

It is no secret that in the case of diabetes, the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin (type 1 diabetes) or becomes resistant to the insulin it produces (type 2 diabetes). That results in chronically elevated blood sugar levels. Managing diabetes involves regulating blood sugar levels through dietary modifications, physical activity, medication, and insulin therapy as needed.

Minimising sugar intake, particularly from sources with high fructose content and processed foods, can help mitigate insulin spikes and support better blood sugar control in individuals with diabetes. Additionally, maintaining a balanced diet rich in fibre, protein, and healthy fats can help slow the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, reducing the likelihood of sudden spikes in blood sugar levels.

Types of Sugar and Their Impact on Patients with Diabetes

Understanding the different types of sugar and their effects on the body, especially for those managing diabetes, is crucial. While people often see sugar as a dietary villain, not all sugars have the same impact on blood glucose levels. From natural sweeteners to artificial alternatives, each has its pros and cons in the context of diabetes management. Let’s explore the specifics of various sugars to understand their roles in our diets.

1. White Sugar (Sucrose)

White sugar, or sucrose, is a common sweetener that provides instant energy. It’s a staple in many foods and drinks. However, its high glycemic index means it can cause blood sugar levels to spike quickly. As a result, it poses significant challenges for individuals with diabetes. Since white sugar only provides the body with empty calories and no favourable minerals, its overconsumption can lead to obesity and dental problems. Obesity is one of the key factors in developing type 2 diabetes. All this underscores the need for moderation.

2. Brown Sugar

Since brown sugar contains molasses, it offers a trace amount of minerals like calcium, potassium, iron and magnesium. However, it shares many of the drawbacks of white sugar as it is also a form of sucrose. Just like white sugar, it also offers a high amount of calories, which impact your blood sugar levels and weight gain. Unlike the common myth that brown sugar is healthier than white sugar, it is not an ideal choice for those managing diabetes and preventing blood sugar spikes.

3. Honey

Honey is a natural sweetener with some health benefits. It has antioxidant properties, and it contains trace vitamins and minerals like calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. It also has antibacterial properties and helps relieve coughs and wounds.

While most people believe that honey is a healthy natural sweetener, it is crucial to understand that it is not suitable for those with diabetes. Although honey has a lower glycemic index than refined white sugar, as it gets digested slower than white sugar, it also has a high-calorie count. As a result, honey consumption can also raise blood sugar levels. That makes it a less suitable option for strict diabetes control. If used, it should be in moderation.

4. Jaggery

Jaggery is different from regular sugar because it’s made from longer sucrose chains. It means your body breaks it down more slowly, providing energy at a steady pace, not all at once. Jaggery also contains essential minerals like iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc. During its making in iron vessels, jaggery picks up a good amount of iron.

Even though jaggery has more nutrients and might seem like a better choice than white sugar, it is not necessarily safe for people with diabetes. Jaggery still has a lot of sugar and can quickly raise blood sugar levels. The key is to enjoy jaggery but only a little at a time to avoid big spikes in your blood sugar.

5. Stevia

Stevia stands out for having zero calories and no impact on blood sugar. That makes it a favourable alternative for people with diabetes. Derived from the stevia plant, it offers a sweet taste without the drawbacks of traditional white sugars. However, some individuals may find its taste bitter and experience gastrointestinal discomfort. In some cases, it might lead to low blood pressure as well.

6. Artificial Sweeteners (Aspartame, Saccharin, Sucralose)

Artificial sweeteners provide a calorie-free way to sweeten foods and drinks without raising blood sugar levels. They’re popular among those looking to reduce calorie intake and manage diabetes. Despite their benefits, debates about their long-term health effects persist. In fact, some people report adverse reactions like digestive issues and increased blood pressure.

With the abundance of sugar alternatives available, making informed choices can be overwhelming. Consulting a certified nutritionist, such as those at HealthifyMe, can provide personalised advice to navigate these choices effectively. It will ensure dietary decisions that support your overall health and diabetes management goals.

Key Factors in Diabetes Risk

While some research links sugar-sweetened beverages to a higher risk of diabetes, the evidence isn’t enough regarding sugars like sucrose and fructose. Subsequently, data also shows that substituting sucrose for fructose in controlled diets didn’t show adverse effects on diabetes risk factors over a short period of time.

Overall, there’s little direct evidence linking sugar consumption to increased diabetes risk. Given the well-established link between diabetes and obesity, focusing on obesity as a risk factor is considered more prudent.

Beyond Sugar: Other Factors to Consider

Besides sugar, some other factors can also lead to diabetes. These factors include genetics, obesity, lifestyle choices, stress, and certain medical conditions like hormonal issues or pancreas removal. Managing these factors through diet, exercise, and stress reduction is crucial for diabetes prevention and care.

Genetic predisposition also contributes to diabetes susceptibility. Type 1 diabetes shows a strong hereditary component, and both genetic and environmental factors can influence type 2 diabetes.

Obesity, often linked to unhealthy dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles, is a prominent risk factor for type 2 diabetes, emphasising the importance of weight management and lifestyle modifications. Furthermore, chronic stress and aforementioned medical conditions can exacerbate insulin resistance. It underscores the need for comprehensive diabetes management strategies that encompass stress reduction, healthy living practices, and medical supervision. 

Understanding these determinants and adopting a holistic approach to diabetes prevention and management are essential for promoting overall well-being and minimising diabetes-related complications.

Recommendations for Sugar Intake

Including sugar in moderation is part of a balanced diet. The American Heart Association suggests men limit added sugar to no more than nine teaspoons (36 grams) per day, while women should aim for less than six teaspoons (25 grams). 

Sugar and Type 2 Diabetes

Sugar consumption is not related to type 1 diabetes. This form of diabetes happens when the body’s immune system attacks the pancreas’s insulin-producing cells. It’s an autoimmune response, not related to diet or sugar intake.

Now, looking at type 2 diabetes, the condition results from factors beyond just sugar consumption. Type 2 diabetes happens when our body struggles with using insulin properly, and our pancreas can’t make enough insulin to keep up. Stress, pregnancy, and other factors can also play a role. 

Even if you don’t eat sugar at all, you can still get diabetes because of your genes. However, consuming a lot of sugar can make you more likely to develop diabetes. That is mainly because sugary foods and drinks can lead to weight gain, and being overweight is a key risk factor for type 2 diabetes. So, while sugar doesn’t directly cause diabetes, overeating can indirectly increase your risk.

Overeating refined sugar or carbohydrates over time can cause problems like too much insulin in your blood, resistance to insulin’s effects, and trouble keeping your blood sugar stable. It is especially true if you are physically inactive.

Insulin

Since the connection between diabetes and insulin is well known, it is vital to keep insulin in consideration. Insulin manages the absorption of glucose (sugar) into cells from the bloodstream. As a result, the more sugar a person consumes, the higher the blood sugar rises, leading to increased insulin release. Over time, the body may develop resistance to insulin, resulting in type 2 diabetes. Any carbohydrate can spike blood glucose levels, but processed sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and refined sucrose can spike those levels so quickly that the insulin levels can’t keep up. 

In simple terms, eating sugar by itself doesn’t directly cause diabetes. It all comes down to how the body produces and uses insulin. A diet high in added sugars, saturated fats, and excess calories increases the risk of overweight, obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and metabolic syndrome, causing the development of diabetes.

Symptoms of  Too Much Sugar in Your Body

Sugar, specifically glucose, is not inherently harmful. In fact, the human body relies on glucose, a simple sugar, as a primary source of fuel. However, excessive sugar intake can have adverse effects on the body. Whether you have diabetes or not, it’s always good to monitor glucose levels regularly. Switching to a CGM like the HealthifyPro Continuous Glucose Monitor is a practical step, providing instant insights into how specific food combinations impact blood glucose levels. It allows you to measure fasting, post-meal, and daily glucose levels more effectively.

Here’s an article to understand the nuances of CGM better: What is a Continuous Glucose Monitor?

The first step to preventing chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, is as simple as recognising the following warning signs of too much sugar in the body:

Weight Gain

Sugary foods and drinks often pack in a lot of calories without providing any notable nutritional value. Consuming more empty calories than you burn can lead to weight gain. Limiting and being mindful of your sugar intake helps reduce the risk of weight gain.

Tooth Decay

The sugar in sweet foods doesn’t directly cause tooth decay. However, when you overconsume sugary foods, the natural bacteria in the mouth convert them into an acidic substance. Like all acids, these acids erode the teeth’ enamel, weakening them and making them more prone to cavities.

Skin Issues

High-sugar diets increase oil and androgen (hormone) production. They also accelerate the creation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The heightened androgen production raises the likelihood of acne. At the same time, the increased presence of AGEs speeds up the skin’s ageing process and causes wrinkles.

Increased Hunger and Cravings

One of the early signs of overconsumption of sugar is hunger. That is primarily due to the empty calories white sugar offers. Since the human body quickly breaks down sugary foods and drinks, sugar only satisfies the taste buds but doesn’t fill the stomach. Subsequently, when your body experiences a crash, it signals hunger, urging you to seek more energy. Typically, this leads to cravings for quick energy sources, often in the form of sugary foods. Unfortunately, such cravings often result in a repetitive cycle of reaching for high-sugar snacks, only to feel hungry again shortly afterwards.

Brain Fog and Low Energy

Food items abundant in sugar but deficient in protein, fibre, or fat provide a short-lived energy boost followed by a rapid decline in blood sugar, commonly known as a crash. It causes your body to fluctuate between peaks and crashes constantly. These fluctuations can significantly lower concentration, resulting in “brain fog”. Moreover, they deplete your energy levels, reducing the likelihood of engaging in physical activities and performing daily tasks at your best.

Mood Swings

Excessive sugar intake can also make you moody, irritable, or on edge. A high-sugar meal lacking in protein and fat quickly spikes your blood sugar. However, as your body rushes to process it, your energy levels crash, leaving you feeling sluggish and irritable.

A Shift in Taste

Over time, your brain becomes accustomed to a very high level of sweetness, and this can affect your satisfaction with less sweet alternatives. It can lead to a heightened expectation of sweetness, making it challenging to appreciate foods with lower sugar content. So, if you find that foods don’t taste as sweet as they once did, or if you feel the need to add sugar to enhance their flavour, you may be consuming excessive amounts of sugar. 

Sleep Disturbance

It might be instinctive to seek a sugary treat when feeling tired in the evening, but this habit could disrupt your night’s sleep. Excessive sugar intake can lead to late-night eating due to fluctuating blood sugar levels, negatively impacting sleep. Disrupted sleep, in turn, increases the desire for sugar the next day. Some sugary treats also include caffeine, further compromising your sleep, especially if consumed in the evenings. The combination of sugar and caffeine forms a problematic duo that can interfere with your rest.

HealthifyMe Suggestion

High blood sugar levels have been linked to mineral deficiencies such as chromium and magnesium, both of which regulate blood sugar. Chromium-rich foods include meats, fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Magnesium-rich meals include dark leafy greens, squash and pumpkin seeds, tuna, whole grains, dark chocolate, bananas, and beans. Choose whole meals over highly processed foods, consume protein and fibre-rich foods, and drink lots of water. Find appropriate substitutes. Replace soda and juice with healthy options such as low-fat milk, unsweetened iced tea, and water flavoured with lemon, cucumber, or mint slices. Replace a bowl of sweet snacks with fresh fruit like bananas, oranges, and apples. Regular exercise can help enhance insulin sensitivity.

The Final Word

Understanding that diabetes isn’t solely caused by sugar consumption is crucial. The condition involves a complex interplay of factors, including insulin resistance, genetic predispositions, and lifestyle choices. While the occasional indulgence in sugary treats isn’t likely to cause harm, the long-term effects of consistently high sugar intake are a cause for concern. These concerns extend well beyond the risk of diabetes to potentially contribute to heart disease, fatty liver, kidney issues, and more.

Noticing the signs of too much sugar in your diet, such as weight gain, dental problems, skin conditions, fluctuating energy levels, and mood swings, is the first step towards safeguarding your health. Taking proactive measures to monitor and adjust your sugar intake is essential.

In this journey, HealthifyMe can be your ally. With a personalised approach to nutrition and lifestyle modifications, HealthifyMe’s expert nutritionists can help you map out your meals, monitor your sugar intake, and implement sustainable changes. These steps, tailored specifically for you, aim to manage or prevent diabetes and also enhance your overall well-being.

Embracing a balanced lifestyle with mindful eating habits and the guidance of HealthifyMe’s professionals, you can navigate the complexities of diabetes management and embark on a path to healthier living.

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Disclaimer: The purpose of this article is just to disperse knowledge and raise awareness. It does not intend to replace medical advice from professionals. For further information, please contact our certified nutritionists Here.

Research Sources

1. Relationship between Added Sugars Consumption and Chronic Disease Risk Factors: Current Understanding

2. The relationship of diet and acne

3. Relationship Between Added Sugar Intake and Sleep Quality Among University Students: A Cross-sectional Study

4. Fructose and sugar: A major mediator of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

5. Dietary sugar intake and Cardiovascular Health

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)