Added sugar, which comes from candy, processed foods, sugary drinks, etc, are what some would call ‘empty calories’ which don’t provide much nutritional value. Whereas natural sugar coming from fruit or dairy usually comes with many other vitamins and minerals, including fiber. Natural sugars are absorbed at a slower rate and one will typically feel full more quickly, so people are unlikely to consume as much. The issue when we have too much sugar is that it is extra energy. If we are not active enough there is no way to burn this extra energy and it is stored as fat, contributing to weight gain and obesity. Does Sugar Cause Diabetes? There are two types of diabetes and sugar does not directly cause either type - Type 1 is an autoimmune disease and is not caused by anything in your lifestyle. There are several risk factors for type 2 diabetes, including obesity, so a diet that is high in sugar and therefore calories that leads to obesity may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Added sugar, which comes from candy, processed foods, sugary drinks, etc, are what some would call ‘empty calories’ which don’t provide much nutritional value.
Whereas natural sugar coming from fruit or dairy usually comes with many other vitamins and minerals, including fiber. Natural sugars are absorbed at a slower rate and one will typically feel full more quickly, so people are unlikely to consume as much.
The issue when we have too much sugar is that it is extra energy. If we are not active enough there is no way to burn this extra energy and it is stored as fat, contributing to weight gain and obesity.
Does Sugar Cause Diabetes?
There are two types of diabetes and sugar does not directly cause either type - Type 1 is an autoimmune disease and is not caused by anything in your lifestyle.
There are several risk factors for type 2 diabetes, including obesity, so a diet that is high in sugar and therefore calories that leads to obesity may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.