The #1 Source of Diabetes, According to Science — Eat This Not That

By Ghuman

Introduction

Eat This Not That is a website dedicated to helping people make healthier food choices. It provides information on the best and worst foods for people with diabetes, as well as tips on how to make healthier food choices. According to science, the number one source of diabetes is eating too much sugar. Eating too much sugar can lead to an increase in blood sugar levels, which can cause diabetes. Eating too much sugar can also lead to weight gain, which can further increase the risk of developing diabetes. Eating This Not That provides information on how to reduce sugar intake and make healthier food choices to help reduce the risk of developing diabetes.

The #1 Source of Diabetes, According to Science — Eat This Not That

Diabetes is a serious health condition that affects millions of people around the world. While there are many factors that can contribute to the development of diabetes, research has identified one particular source as the primary cause: diet.

A recent study published in the journal Diabetes Care found that the number one source of diabetes is the consumption of sugary drinks. The study looked at the dietary habits of over 4,000 people and found that those who drank more than one sugary drink per day were more likely to develop diabetes than those who drank less.

The study also found that the risk of developing diabetes was even higher for those who drank more than two sugary drinks per day. This suggests that reducing the amount of sugary drinks consumed can help reduce the risk of developing diabetes.

The findings of this study are important for those who are at risk of developing diabetes. It is important to remember that sugary drinks are not the only source of diabetes, but they are a major contributor. Therefore, it is important to limit the amount of sugary drinks consumed and to focus on eating a healthy diet that is low in sugar and high in fiber.

Eating a healthy diet is the best way to reduce the risk of developing diabetes. Eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help to keep blood sugar levels in check and reduce the risk of developing diabetes. Additionally, avoiding sugary drinks and limiting the amount of processed foods consumed can also help to reduce the risk of developing diabetes.

By following a healthy diet and limiting the amount of sugary drinks consumed, it is possible to reduce the risk of developing diabetes. Eating a healthy diet and avoiding sugary drinks can help to keep blood sugar levels in check and reduce the risk of developing diabetes.

Health experts warn that diabetes has become a silent epidemic in the U.S.—and a silent killer. For the last two years, deaths from diabetes have hit record levels. It doesn’t have to be this way. For many people, diabetes is preventable. Diabetes can lead to serious health complications like heart disease and stroke, so it’s important to take steps to avoid developing the disease if possible. That includes avoiding the #1 root of diabetes. Read on to find out more—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.

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Diabetes is the body’s inability to process sugar (glucose). Normally, when a non-diabetic person consumes sugar, their pancreas releases an enzyme called insulin to help cells convert and use sugar for energy. In a diabetic person, the pancreas either doesn’t make insulin, or the body becomes resistant to insulin. Blood sugar can builds up in blood vessels, causing damage. This can lead to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, blindness, even amputation.

Type 1 diabetes, once known as “juvenile diabetes,” can develop at any age. But type 2 diabetes is the kind that has become epidemic in the United States—up to 95% of people with diabetes have this type—and it’s directly connected to diet and lifestyle choices. Experts predict one in 10 people will have diabetes by the year 2045.

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There are many risk factors for type 2 diabetes, but one of the biggest is a poor diet high in processed foods and added sugar. They’re closely related—many processed foods quickly break down into sugar. When the body is swamped with sugar, it can become resistant to insulin. The body isn’t able to process glucose for energy, and serious health consequences can follow.

Eating this kind of diet increases your risk of being overweight or obese, a major contributor to diabetes. “You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you are not physically active and are overweight or obese,” says the National Institutes of Health. “Extra weight sometimes causes insulin resistance and is common in people with type 2 diabetes. The location of body fat also makes a difference. Extra belly fat is linked to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and heart and blood vessel disease.” 

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It’s especially important to limit or avoid sugar-sweetened beverages, such as sodas, juices and sports drinks. The average American consumes the equivalent of 17 teaspoons of sugar a day, mainly through sugar-sweetened beverages, desserts and sweet snacks.

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“A lot of the foods we eat are diabetogenic. What that means is they increase your risk for insulin resistance and diabetes,” says Aaron Hartman, MD, a board-certified functional medicine and integrative medicine doctor in Richmond, Virginia, and assistant clinical professor of family medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University. “Sugars are one diabetogenic food. Processed carbohydrates are another. The first rule of thumb if you want to prevent diabetes is to eat real food.” A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein (especially fatty fish, like salmon) and good fats (like avocados, nuts and olive oil) may reduce your risk of diabetes and other chronic illnesses like heart disease and cancer. 

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To reduce your diabetes risk or manage your diabetes, increasing your physical activity is important. Exercise builds muscle and makes them more sensitive to insulin, so the body utilizes it better. “For people who have diabetes—or almost any other disease, for that matter—the benefits of exercise can’t be overstated,” says Harvard Medical School. “Exercise lowers blood glucose levels and boosts your body’s sensitivity to insulin, countering insulin resistance.” Studies have found that all types of exercise help, but a combination of aerobic exercise and resistance training is particularly effective in reducing insulin resistance. Experts recommend aiming for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week, including two sessions of resistance exercise.

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Michael Martin

Michael Martin is a New York City-based writer and editor whose health and lifestyle content has also been published on Beachbody and Openfit. A contributing writer for Eat This, Not That!, he has also been published in New York, Architectural Digest, Interview, and many others. Read more