Does excess sugar in the diet contribute to type 2 diabetes?

Sugar intake is not linked to the development of diabetes. Diabetes is a complex disease, in which genetics and lifestyle factors play a joint role. The most common form, type 2 diabetes, is associated with obesity, especially central obesity, and sedentary lifestyles.

Type 2 diabetes is most commonly caused by a decreasing sensitivity of the cells in the liver and muscles to the hormone insulin. Insulin is one of the hormones the body needs to keep blood sugar levels within the narrow range required for good health. In most people, when food is consumed, blood sugar levels rise and insulin is produced to bring them back down. In people with diabetes, this insulin response is defective and, if not treated, blood sugar levels can become dangerously high.

For many years, people with diabetes were told to avoid Sugar. However, current scientific research has shown that people with diabetes can include moderate amounts of sugar in their diet as part of mixed meals, without compromising blood sugar control. This is because sugar is not implicated in the development of diabetes nor do sucrose or other sugars independently contribute to poor blood glucose control. In fact, sugar is digested and absorbed more slowly than many other carbohydrate-containing foods such as white or wholemeal bread and cooked potatoes. Including some sugar in the diet may also be beneficial because it makes it easier to keep fat intakes down which is particularly important in diabetics who are at a higher risk of heart disease.

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