If you’re like me, you’ve probably heard a passing comment like, “oh you shouldn’t eat that you’ll get DM (Diabetes Miletus)”. Is this comment backed with real research? I’d like to explain briefly the mechanism in which people get DM. As a refresher there are two types of DM, Type 1 and Type 2, Type 1 is often called juvenile, and is the bodies inability to produce insulin not based on life choices, often genetics, but is not treatable. Type 2 DM, which will be exclusively discussed from this point on, is a developed disease in which most people make the example comment about, its prevalence in Canada is about 10% (and suspected to rise). Type 2 DM also incurable but can be managed by eating well, losing weight and increasing activity. The myth stems from the idea that DM is the body’s lack of being able to regulate blood sugar, in this way it might make sense that diets high in sugar are more likely to cause DM.

Sugar Consumption of Top 25 GDP Countries | line chart made by Vizthinker | plotly
The Changing Tides of the Type 2 Diabetes Epidemic—Smooth Sailing or Troubled Waters Ahead? Kelly West Award Lecture 2016 | Diabetes Care

Speculatively the data shown doesn’t show a strong correlation of sugar consumption with DM.

The physiological explanation of DM isn’t caused by sugar uptake, its caused by a lack of sugar uptake, that is you could eat as much sugar (or calories), as you want but as long as your cells in your body are using energy they will need to replace their energy stores. This receptor desensitization to insulin is the mechanism of action in how DM develops. DM is not caused by consumption of calories, or sugar, but rather it is caused by a lack of exercise. Lets look at an example familiar with those who played professional sports: a football lineman is eating a plethora of calories everyday but he goes to practice regularly and doesn’t develop DM. After he stops playing sports he takes a break and continues to eat to satiation, but he develops DM. This hypothetical example has happened but as most athletes continue to exercise afterwards is quite unlikely. Hopefully the next time someone says to you before you consume something full of sugar, ‘watch out you might get DM’ you can respond to them kindly and inform them on how DM develops.

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash