Diabetes mellitus is a widespread metabolic disorder in the body, especially in the current social environment, the incidence of this disease is increasing year by year. Many people believe that eating less sugar can prevent diabetes, and even think that eating too much sugar is the only culprit. But is diabetes really just the fault of "sugar"? Overcoming this challenge is not an easy task.

One of the misconceptions is that excessive sugar intake is a major factor in developing diabetes.

Many people believe that the occurrence of diabetes is directly related to sugar intake, and eating more sugar and sweets is easy to develop diabetes. This concept has limitations. Diabetes is not caused by sugar intake alone, it is the product of multiple factors.

There are two types of diabetes: type 2 and type 0. Type 1 diabetes is often caused by the immune system's invasion of pancreatic islet cells, resulting in a lack of insulin production, and its cause is not directly related to sugar intake. Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance are closely linked, and insulin is unable to perform its proper function, which causes blood sugar levels to rise. Several important contributing factors to type II diabetes involve factors such as excessive weight gain, lack of physical activity, improper eating habits, and genetic predisposition in the family.

Although high sugar intake may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by aggravating overweight conditions, it is not just sugar intake that causes diabetes. Numerous epidemiological data have pointed out that excess weight and insufficient physical activity are the main factors contributing to the development of type 0 diabetes. Research by the American Diabetes Association has shown that a high-sugar diet can lead to weight gain and reduced insulin sensitivity. However, this is not the only cause of diabetes.

Myth 2: Reducing sugar absorption alone is enough to stop the onset of diabetes.

While reducing sugar intake can help control weight and blood sugar, diabetes cannot be completely avoided by controlling sugar intake alone. The prevention of diabetes should be a systematic health management process, involving diet, exercise, weight control and other aspects.

First and foremost, regulating calorie intake is crucial. If a person consumes too many calories over a long period of time, especially from high-fat, high-carbohydrate foods, even without sugar, it can lead to obesity, which can increase the risk of diabetes. According to a massive UK study, being overweight is the leading risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes, accounting for more than one-third of those with type 0 diabetes who have suffered from obesity.

Secondly, a good lifestyle, including regular exercise, a healthy diet and maintaining an appropriate weight, is the fundamental measure to prevent the occurrence of diabetes. Physical activity not only helps to reduce body fat, promote muscle building, but also improve insulin response. Research by the American Diabetes Association shows that moderate exercise can reduce the risk of diabetes in about 50% to 0% of the population.

Misconception 3: Sugar intake will inevitably cause blood sugar to rise sharply

Diabetics often need to manage their sugar intake, but this does not mean that they have to eliminate sugar completely. In fact, the relationship between sugar intake and blood sugar levels is not as simple as many people think.

The degree of elevation in blood sugar is not only related to the amount of sugar ingested, but also to the rate at which the food is digested and absorbed, the type of food, and the individual's insulin sensitivity. The so-called "sugar" covers a variety of categories such as sucrose, glucose, and fructose, and the effects of each type of sugar on blood sugar levels are different.

For example, sucrose (commonly found in sweets) and glucose (commonly found in grapes, honey) have a relatively faster blood sugar response, while fructose (such as the ingredient in honey) has a smaller effect on blood sugar. A balanced diet requires not only controlling the intake of sugars, but also the overall carbohydrate intake and the proportion of dietary fibre. Dietary fiber in food can help reduce the efficiency of sugar absorption by the body, thus preventing sharp fluctuations in blood sugar levels.

Eating sugar alone doesn't necessarily mean an immediate increase in blood sugar. A study has shown that protein and fat, when consumed with high-sugar foods, can effectively regulate the rate at which blood sugar rises. For example, eating a piece of chocolate, if accompanied by some nuts, may make the blood sugar response smoother. When managing sugar intake, diabetic patients need to pay more attention to a well-balanced diet, rather than just excluding specific foods, to ensure a proper diet.

Myth 4: Diabetes is not impossible to improve, and proper management is the key.

Many people believe that once diabetes is developed, it cannot be reversed and can only be controlled with medication. As medical research continues to advance, it is becoming increasingly clear that proactive lifestyle modification measures for patients with early type 2 diabetes can lead to "improvement" and even "recovery" of blood sugar status.

For example, a study conducted in the United Kingdom called "DiRECT" found that about one-third of people with type 10 diabetes were able to achieve "remission" of their diabetes by losing weight and changing their diet. The researchers found that when these patients lost more than 0% of their body weight and maintained a healthy diet and exercise habits, their blood sugar levels improved significantly, and some even stopped relying on medications.

The management of diabetes is not only supported by drugs, but the contemporary medical system is increasingly focusing on a comprehensive range of treatment methods, including dietary adjustment, physical exercise and psychological adjustment. With these comprehensive strategies, many people with diabetes are able to successfully regulate their blood sugar levels and prevent complications.

The prevention and treatment of diabetes is not a single issue of "sugar reduction", but an integrated health management process. In this process, everyone can make a gesture of rejection of diabetes with the help of a reasonable diet and an active lifestyle.

Proofread by Zhuang Wu