Developing diabetes doesn't indicate that you've brought on the condition by gorging on sweets and candy bars. Actually, the cause of diabetes has very little to do with sugar consumption. Your diet does play an important role in developing diabetes, however, as obesity and other related factors contribute to becoming a diabetic.
Causes
Consuming too much sugar does not cause diabetes. Obesity is a risk factor of developing Type 2 diabetes, however. Still, there are other factors that contribute to diabetes. Family history, age and ethnicity play a role in diabetes. The American Diabetes Association states that most overweight people never develop Type 2 diabetes; many Type 2 diabetics are of a normal weight or are just slightly overweight.
Sweets and Glucose
Once you've developed diabetes, whether you've inherited it or are predisposed due to ethnicity, it is wise to watch the amount of sugar you consume. Sugar consumption does become important once you have developed diabetes as your body cannot use or make insulin properly. This causes your blood sugar to rise. During digestion, foods are broken down into a form of energy that your body can use called glucose. Glucose is a form of sugar that your body can use. Insulin allows glucose to penetrate cells so that your body can use the energy. When you don't produce enough insulin, the glucose stays in your blood instead of being used. Excessive amounts of sugar can cause your glucose to climb even higher.
Symptoms
When you develop diabetes, you may begin to have some symptoms indicating your blood sugar is abnormal. You may experience increased thirst and frequent urination, blurred vision, frequent infections, cuts or wounds that are difficult to heal or tingling and numbness in your hands and feet. You may also feel extremely tired and irritable and have extreme hunger. Diabetics often have poor circulation which is why it takes longer for cuts or wounds to heal and why they experience tingling or numbness in the hands and feet.
Staying Healthy
If you're worried about becoming diabetic or have a family history of diabetes, ask your health care provider to screen your glucose levels regularly so that you can get your blood sugar under control before it becomes a problem. Staying active and eating a healthy diet can help prevent you from becoming overweight, which reduces your risk of developing diabetes. If you're already a diabetic, eating a healthy diet, staying active and taking your diabetic medications can help keep your diabetes under control.
