Worried About Diabetes? Here Are Some Common Myths

There are several myths about diabetes that are frequently reported as facts. Diabetes misrepresentations can sometimes be harmful, leading to an unfair stigma surrounding the condition.

Diabetes information is widely available, both from healthcare providers and on the Internet, but not all of it is accurate. While sifting through news journals, medical books, blogs, and articles about this topic, it can be difficult to know what is true, so this page aims to highlight the top few myths about diabetes.

Myth 1: Diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar

Amy Barczy/ Getty Images | With all of the holiday cheer in the air, it’s easy to overlook the ingredients in the food

Diet and lifestyle choices do not cause type 1 diabetes. It occurs when the immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.
It’s also not true that sugar causes type 2 diabetes. However, if you are overweight or obese, your chances of developing this type of diabetes increase. A high-sugar diet is frequently a high-calorie diet, and eating too many calories can result in weight gain.

On average, we eat more sugar than is recommended in the UK. This is why most of us could benefit from cutting back on sweet treats, drinking sugar-free beverages, and checking ingredient lists for added sugars.

Myth 2: Amputation is inevitable for diabetics

Glucerna/ Pinterest | Diabetes is a silent killer

Diabetes, if not properly managed, can cause blood vessel damage in the long run, leading to complications such as foot ulcers and amputation, nerve damage, blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, and even stroke.

Such complications, however, are avoidable if diabetes is properly managed. As a result, diabetic patients should have regular screenings of their feet, eyes, and kidneys to check for the aforementioned complications.

Myth 3: Diabetes patients have a special diet

Diabetes patients consume the same foods as the general population. In fact, the American Diabetes Association no longer suggests specific carbohydrate, fat, or protein intake. They do, however, recommend that diabetics get their carbohydrates from vegetables, whole grains, fruits, and legumes. Foods high in fat, sodium, and sugar should be avoided. These suggestions are similar to what everyone should eat.

Getty Images/ Net Doctor | Insulin is not a cure for diabetes; it is a treatment

If you have diabetes, work with your doctor to create a meal plan that works for you and that you will be able to stick to over time. Diabetes can be managed with a healthy, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

Myth 4: You can’t drink alcohol if you have diabetes

If you have diabetes, you can still drink alcohol, but you should limit your intake to no more than 14 units per week. If you drink this much, make sure to have some alcohol-free days every week.

If you’re trying to lose weight, keep in mind that alcoholic beverages can increase your calorie intake while also stimulating your appetite and lowering inhibitions, making it difficult to stick to healthy eating plans.

Certain diabetes medications (insulin or sulphonylureas) can make you more likely to have a hypo if you drink alcohol, and this effect can last for up to 24 hours, so make sure you are prepared and that those around you are aware of this.