The Facts About Diabetics And SugarIntake (NAPSA)—If you’re concerned about diabetes and what causesit, you maybe surprisedbythelatest medical findings. According to leading experts, eating carbohydrates—including sugar—doesn’t cause diabetes. Major factors include genetics and lifestyle, especially excessive weight and poor fitness. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), diabetics may enjoy sugar in moderation, provided it’s counted like all carbs. When you consumefoods like potatoes, carrots, corn, straw- Current medical research shows berries and watermelon, you’re eating what dietitians refer to as “starches and sugars.” Your body converts starches and sugars— including the pure, all-natural sugar from your sugar bowl—into glucose, the fuel every body needs to function properly. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are disorders that affect the body’s ability to convert glucose into energy. A key piece in the diabetes that people with diabetes can duced by the pancreas. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreasis unable to produce insulin. In type 2 diabetes, commonly referred to as adult onset diabetes, the pancreas gradually loses its ability to produce enough insulin to transform blood glucose into energy. Most important for diabetics to know is how they can incorporate carbohydrates properly into their diet. According to the ADA, blood glucose levels are a direct result of the total amount of carbohydrates in one’s diet. So if you’re diabetic, you can include sugar in yourdiet as long as you count it as part of your daily carbohydrate allowance. The American Diabetes Association offers a good rule of thumb cans. It is estimated a third of adults with diabetes don’t know they’re afflicted. Even with today’s research technology, scientists still don’t knowall of the causes of puzzle is insulin, a hormone pro- safely use sugar as a moderate part of their diets. for how to keep yourblood glucose in check without depriving your sweet tooth: control portion size. So long as you’re counting, you can swap someof the carbohydrates in your diet with small amountsof sweets. Currently, diabetes afflicts more than 20 million adult Ameri- diabetes. A smart, sensible diet is an important safeguard for any- one’s health; it becomes even more important once a person is diag- nosed with diabetes. Knowing the truth should strengthen your resolve and enthusiasm for eating a balanced, sensible diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. All-natural sugar, with just 15 calories a teaspoon, can be part of any healthy, active lifestyle. For more information, visit www.sugar.org.
