Q: Do you get diabetes from eating too much sugar?
A: Anastassios Pittas, MD, co-director of Tufts Medicine’s Diabetes and Lipid Center, answers: “The short answer is, no, diabetes is not caused by consuming too much sugar, although too many sweet treats may play a role.
“When we eat starches and sugars, the body turns them into glucose, a sugar that is the primary energy source for our bodies. The hormone insulin takes glucose from the bloodstream and transfers it to cells. If insulin fails to regulate blood glucose levels, the result is diabetes.
“In type 1 diabetes (an autoimmune disorder that may be present from a very early age), the pancreas does not produce any insulin. In type 2 diabetes, either the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or the body does not respond to insulin as it should (which is called insulin resistance). Genetics play a large role in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Even with a family history of type 2 diabetes, however, staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, and making overall healthy dietary choices can help prevent the disease from developing.
“Consuming a lot of sugar from processed foods and beverages over a period of many years may overwhelm the capacity of the pancreas to secrete adequate amounts of insulin. But don’t be afraid of sugars found naturally in foods like fruits. Fruits are high in fiber, which is associated with lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Do limit your intake of sugars from processed foods like sodas, candy, cookies, and cakes, not only because they promote weight gain, but because they are not optimal fuel for your body.”
Bess Dawson-Hughes, MD, is professor of medicine at Tufts Medical School and senior scientist in the Chronic Disease Prevention and Healthy Aging Research Directive at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging.
