Mount Sinai South Nassau presents:

TRUTH IN MEDICINE

A: Not exactly. Sugar on its own does not cause diabetes. Diabetes is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. However, eating too many sugary foods can lead to weight gain, a key trigger for the most common form of diabetes: type 2.

Weight gain causes chemical changes in your body. In particular, hormones produced by fat influence the activity of another hormone, insulin, which is produced by the pancreas and controls the uptake of glucose (sugar) from your blood.

People with type 2 diabetes gradually develop resistance to insulin, and diabetes develops when the pancreas can no longer keep up with the increased demand.

If you have a history of diabetes in your family, a healthy diet and regular exercise are recommended to help manage your weight and lower your risk of diabetes. If you are concerned about your diabetes risk, talk to your doctor.