Why is the number of diabetics increasing? Doctors remind! It may be related to three types of food!
With the improvement of living standards and changes in dietary structure, the incidence of diabetes is on the rise globally. Many people are asking, why is there an increasing number of diabetics? Doctors remind that this may be closely related to our dietary habits, especially three types of food, which may be important factors leading to the rising incidence of diabetes.
1. High-sugar foods
A high-sugar diet is an important factor leading to diabetes. With the development of modern food processing technology, various sweets, candies, sugary drinks, and other high-sugar foods are constantly emerging. The sugar in these foods is easily absorbed by the body, leading to a rapid increase in blood sugar. Long-term intake of high-sugar foods can cause excessive insulin secretion, thereby increasing the burden on the pancreas, eventually leading to insulin resistance and the onset of diabetes.
In addition, high-sugar foods can also lead to obesity, and obesity is an independent risk factor for diabetes. The risk of diabetes is significantly higher in obese people than in those with normal weight. Therefore, reducing the intake of high-sugar foods is important for preventing diabetes.
How to reduce the intake of high-sugar foods?
Avoid consuming overly processed sweets such as candies, chocolates, cakes, etc. Reduce the intake of sweet drinks such as carbonated drinks, fruit juices, etc., and switch to water, pure fruit juice, or tea. Eat fresh fruits as desserts or snacks, but be mindful of the quantity as some fruits also contain high sugar content.
2. High-fat foods
High-fat foods are also an important reason for the increasing incidence of diabetes. With the improvement of living standards, people’s dietary structure has undergone significant changes, with high-fat foods accounting for an increasingly larger proportion of daily diet. Long-term intake of high-fat foods, especially saturated fats and trans fats, can lead to excessive fat content in the body, affecting insulin sensitivity and increasing the risk of diabetes.
In addition, high-fat foods can also lead to obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and other metabolic syndromes, all of which are risk factors for diabetes. Therefore, reducing the intake of high-fat foods is important for preventing and controlling diabetes.
How to reduce the intake of high-fat foods?
Choose lean meats such as chicken breast, lean beef, etc., and avoid excessive intake of fatty meats and animal viscera. When cooking, prefer steaming, boiling, baking, and other low-fat methods, and avoid high-fat cooking methods such as deep-frying and stir-frying. Reduce the intake of high-fat foods such as fast food, fried chicken, french fries, etc. Increase consumption of foods rich in unsaturated fatty acids, such as fish, nuts, olive oil, etc.
3. High-salt foods
Although the direct relationship between high-salt foods and diabetes is not as obvious as that of high-sugar and high-fat foods, long-term intake of high-salt foods can also have a certain impact on the occurrence of diabetes. A high-salt diet is prone to causing hypertension, and there is a close connection between hypertension and diabetes. In addition, high salt intake can also lead to an excessive amount of sodium ions in the body, affecting insulin sensitivity, thereby increasing the risk of diabetes.
How to reduce the intake of high-salt foods?
Control salt intake, with a daily salt intake not exceeding 6 grams. Avoid consuming pickled foods such as pickles, bacon, etc. Reduce the frequency of dining out, as restaurant dishes often contain high amounts of salt. Consume more fresh vegetables and fruits, as they are rich in potassium ions, which help eliminate excess sodium ions from the body.
4. Other influencing factors
In addition to the above three types of foods, the increasing incidence of diabetes is also related to the following factors:
Lack of exercise: Changes in modern lifestyles have led to a lack of sufficient exercise, prolonged sitting easily leads to obesity and insulin resistance. Excessive stress: Long-term mental stress and anxiety can affect hormone levels in the body, thereby increasing the risk of diabetes. Inadequate sleep: Inadequate sleep can affect insulin sensitivity, increasing the incidence of diabetes. Genetic factors: Diabetes has a certain familial hereditary nature, and people with a family history have a higher risk of the disease.
5. Summary and suggestions
The incidence of diabetes is continuously rising and is closely related to our dietary habits. To prevent and control diabetes, we should start by improving our dietary structure, reducing the intake of high-sugar, high-fat, and high-salt foods, and increasing the intake of foods rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. At the same time, maintaining good lifestyle habits, increasing physical exercise, getting enough sleep, and reducing mental stress are also important measures for preventing diabetes.
Lastly, for people with a family history of diabetes, it is even more important to pay attention to their blood sugar levels, undergo regular check-ups and screenings, in order to detect and control the development of the disease in a timely manner. Let us start paying attention to our dietary habits and lifestyle from now on! After all, health is the most important wealth!