Introduction: In our daily lives, the shadow of high blood sugar and diabetes is increasingly looming over people’s health. These two major chronic health issues not only affect the middle-aged and elderly population but are also quietly spreading to the younger generation.
With the acceleration of pace of life and changes in dietary habits, the prevalence of diabetes and high blood sugar continues to rise, becoming a health issue that many people cannot ignore.
According to relevant data statistics, the prevalence of diabetes in China has soared to a staggering 11.2%, and this number continues to rise.
Even more worrying is the increasing trend towards younger age groups developing diabetes. In the past 20 years, the prevalence of diabetes among young people in China has increased by about four times, a growth rate that is alarming. So, how do high blood sugar and diabetes occur?
How is diabetes caused? These 5 common “triggers” are well known and prevention is key.
Genetic factors:
Diabetes has a clear familial aggregation, especially type 1 diabetes has a strong genetic component.
If someone in the family has type 1 diabetes, the risk of children developing the disease increases.
Type 2 diabetes may also occur due to genetic factors, but its inheritance is more complex and can be prevented by adjusting lifestyle habits.
Unhealthy lifestyle habits:
Long-term intake of high-protein, high-calorie foods, especially those high in sugar and fat, can lead to abnormal metabolism of glycogen in the body, leading to high blood sugar.
Lack of exercise leading to being overweight or obese weakens the body’s sensitivity to insulin, thus causing diabetes.
Irregular sleep patterns, staying up late often, or prolonged mental anxiety and stress can also affect normal body metabolism and increase the risk of diabetes.
Obesity:
Obesity is a significant risk factor for diabetes. The risk of diabetes is significantly higher in obese individuals compared to those with normal weight.
Being overweight usually reduces the body’s sensitivity to insulin, weakening insulin’s ability to regulate blood sugar.
Pregnancy:
During pregnancy, the levels of various hormones in the female body gradually increase with gestational age, making it easier to affect the body’s insulin regulation capabilities, leading to gestational diabetes.
Dietary factors:
Especially for type 2 diabetes, it has a lot to do with daily dietary habits. Long-term consumption of high-oil, high-sugar, high-fat foods can lead to body obesity, thereby increasing the risk of developing diabetes.
What happens to people with prolonged high blood sugar later? Unable to escape 4 major hazards.
Decreased vision:
Prolonged high blood sugar can damage the small blood vessels in the eyes, affecting the normal function of the retina, leading to diabetic retinopathy. As the condition progresses, the patient’s vision will gradually decline, with severe cases possibly leading to blindness.
Cardiovascular disease:
Under conditions of high blood sugar, the viscosity of the blood increases and the blood vessel walls become damaged, leading to atherosclerosis and blood clots, resulting in inadequate blood supply to organs such as the heart and brain, thereby causing serious consequences such as coronary heart disease, heart attack, stroke, etc.
Diabetic nephropathy:
High blood sugar can damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys, leading to glomerulosclerosis, which affects the normal function of the kidneys. As the condition progresses, patients may experience symptoms such as proteinuria, edema, high blood pressure, and in severe cases, may develop into kidney failure.
Neurological complications:
High blood sugar can damage nerve cells, affecting the normal function of the nervous system, leading to a series of neurologic disorders. For example, patients may experience symptoms such as numbness in the hands and feet, pain, abnormal sensations, and in severe cases, may develop serious complications such as neurogenic bladder, gastroparesis, etc.
Can onions lower blood sugar?
For the question of “can onions lower blood sugar?” the answer from scientific research is: Onions do indeed have some benefit in lowering blood sugar. Onions contain a substance called sulfur compound, which can stimulate the production of insulin, the main hormone for lowering blood sugar. In addition, onions are also rich in dietary fiber, which can slow down the digestive speed of food in the intestines, thereby lowering the rate of blood sugar rise. However, although onions are beneficial for lowering blood sugar, it is not advisable to rely solely on onions for this. Onions are just one of many foods that can lower blood sugar, and their effectiveness in lowering blood sugar is relatively weak. Furthermore, we should also pay attention to how onions are consumed. While onions are good, excessive consumption can cause gastrointestinal discomfort.
A natural “sugar sucking king” found, not onions, but keeping it in your diet may help lower blood sugar.
Oatmeal:
Oatmeal, as an ancient and nutritious grain, has long been highly praised for its unique nutritional value and health benefits. It is not only rich in taste but also contains abundant dietary fiber and beta-glucan, which give oats many health benefits. Dietary fiber in oats plays a vital role in maintaining intestinal health. This insoluble fiber can increase the volume of food in the intestines, slow down the digestion rate of food in the intestines. This means that when you consume oatmeal, the food stays longer in the intestines, allowing the rate of blood sugar rise to be reduced, thus helping to stabilize blood sugar levels. For diabetic patients or those needing to control blood sugar, oatmeal is undoubtedly an ideal breakfast choice. In addition to dietary fiber, oats are also rich in beta-glucans, a significantly beneficial polysaccharide. Beta-glucans can enhance immunity, promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestines, further maintaining intestinal health. Additionally, it also has various physiological activities such as lowering cholesterol, anti-inflammatory effects, which are beneficial for preventing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases.
Spinach:
Spinach, known as the natural “sugar sucking king” in nature, has garnered widespread attention for its unique nutritional value and blood sugar-lowering effects. This dark green vegetable not only tastes delicious but also shows remarkable potential in blood sugar control. Spinach is called the “sugar sucking king” mainly because it contains rich dietary fiber. Dietary fiber is a type of carbohydrate that is not easily digested and absorbed by the body, forming a protective film in the intestines, slowing down the absorption rate of the sugar in the food. This means that when you consume spinach, the sugar in the food will be gradually absorbed, rather than entering the bloodstream rapidly all at once, causing a sharp rise in blood sugar levels. This steady increase in blood sugar helps in reducing the risk of diabetes and other health risks related to high blood sugar. Besides dietary fiber, spinach is also rich in various vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, C, E, K, as well as iron, calcium, magnesium, etc. These nutrients are essential for maintaining normal physiological function in the body, promoting metabolism, etc. More importantly, they work together to help the body better utilize sugars and lower blood sugar levels.
Bitter melon:
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