Does Eating Too Much Sugar Cause Diabetes, Cavities, Acne, Hyperactivity and Make You Fat?

Does eating too much sugar cause diabetes, cavities, acne, hyperactivity and make you fat?

Anything in excess is bad for you but saying that diabetes is caused by many things, too much sugar rarely being one of them. There are two types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 is when the pancreas fails to produce insulin. There is no exact known cause for Type 1 but there tends to be a genetic link or predisposition associated with affected people. Viruses are able to cause the immune system to attack and destroy the cells in the pancreas and trick it into thinking it is a foreign body. With Type 2 diabetes, cells fail to produce insulin. Obesity is a major trigger for type 2 diabetes but can also be caused by aging and other inherited factors. It can cause symptoms of hunger and fatigue which causes excessive eating and weight gain to compensate for those feelings.

Cavities are caused by not brushing correctly or often enough. Sugar is not a direct culprit unless it is eaten over a long period of time. The direct exposure to the tooth of sugar and the prolonged time between brushing contribute and cause cavities. Instead it is better to eat sugar together or with meals to help create saliva to minimize damage to the enamel. Per the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend good dental hygiene and consuming sugary foods less frequently but doesn't mention changing the amount we consume.

Acne is actually caused by increases of testosterone, blockage by naturally occurring oils and dirts, hormonal influxes, genetic predispositions, psychological issues and infections. Diet is rarely the underlying cause for acne. Occasionally the gylcemic index of food and its ability to raise ones glucose level can cause acne to worsen. Also, with the mention of the glycemic index of food, having a high index can also lead to onset of type 2 diabetes.

Hyperactivity or "being hyper" has no connection to the intake of sugar. It is more often than not, a person or parents perceived idea of sugar intake that is projecting hyperactivity on another person.

What would you tell Gill and Hillary about their eating habits the next time you meet?

They should monitor and control how, what, and when they eat instead of cutting things out of their diet completely. Making sure they are eating small balanced meals on a regular basis, consisting of healthy ingredients, high in fiber, lean protein and fruits and vegetables is always a better choice. Carbohydrates come in all forms and it is best to determine what healthy carbs should be consumed and which should be lessened. Also keep in mind that sugar is in the majority of foods they are eating and it is important to be able to determine which types of sugar are in those foods.

Outline a more rational plan for them to lose weight if they want.

A more rational plan would