A chocolatinho after lunch, a mid-afternoon piece of cake and a chocolate dessert brownie are very tempting, isn't it? In fact, for many people, sugar is virtually irresistible.
This is not from today: this uncontrollable urge to eat sugar has accompanied us throughout evolution as a way to prevent us from starving to death. The problem is that, quite unlike in ancient times, today we have a lot of food at our disposal.
As a result, excessive sugar consumption was eventually related to the onset of heart disease, obesity and diabetes.
And worse: some studies suggest that high sugar intake would have even more influence on the development of diabetes than previously thought, and may be one of the causes of this disease.
Is it possible to develop diabetes by eating too much sugar?
If you want a quick answer to this question, then be aware that sugar intake does not directly cause diabetes. However, there is a way that excessive consumption of this substance can contribute to the onset of this disease.
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While type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the patient's body attacks its own insulin-producing cells, type 2 diabetes develops when factors such as genetic inheritance, physical inactivity and obesity accumulate.
And as you well know, one of the causes of obesity is poor diet? for example, with an excessive intake of sugar.
Understanding the connection between sugar and diabetes
Although sugar consumption is not directly related to the development of diabetes, some evidence suggests that increased availability of diabetes makes the disease more common.
According to a 2013 US study of 175 countries, the higher the amount of sugar in the diet, the greater the occurrence of diabetes among the population. More specifically, every 150 calories from sugar ingested per day per person, diabetes levels rise by 1%.
The research did not consider the effect of sugar individually, but on the population itself? In other words, the study indicates that there is a relationship between sugar consumption and the occurrence of diabetes in society as a whole.
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Although the relationship between sugar and diabetes is not yet well established by science, some other diseases definitely have among their causes the excessive intake of this substance. Some examples are heart disease, liver disease, some cancers, hormonal changes, high cholesterol, polycystic ovary syndrome and chronic inflammation.
Other Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes
In addition to obesity, which can be caused by overconsumption of sugar, there are other risk factors for a patient to develop type 2 diabetes:
- Be over 45 years old;
- Present family history of the disease;
- Suffering gestational diabetes;
- Have high blood glucose or be resistant to insulin;
- Be hypertensive;
- Not to exercise;
- Present imbalance in cholesterol rates.
Does this mean that, unlike Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes is caused by some factors over which our lifestyle has a major influence? hence the importance of maintaining a physical activity routine, eating a healthy diet and regularly undergoing laboratory tests.
Recommendations for Safe Sugar Consumption
In excess, sugar is a dangerous substance that can cause many diseases, but still, does our body need an amount of glucose to function? and it would be impossible to eliminate all glucose from our diet.
With that in mind, the American Heart Association recommends that men consume a maximum of 9 teaspoons (36 grams) of sugar per day, or 150 calories. For women, the recommendation is up to 6 teaspoons (25 grams) per day, or 100 calories from sugar.
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In short, what we should do is to avoid consuming sugary foods such as soft drinks, processed juices, crackers and sweets in general, and reducing the intake of high-glycemic carbohydrates such as those derived from white flour.
Give preference to foods such as wholemeal bread, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean meats that provide the nutrients needed for our body to function properly and prolong the feeling of satiety. A sweetie is allowed from time to time, but cannot become a rule.
It's True: Connection Between Eating Sweets and Diabetes (April 2024)
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