People diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have trouble either producing enough insulin or the body refuses to react to insulin properly. Explaining further, head pharmacist Jason Murphy said: “In all types of diabetes, glucose can’t get to your cells effectively, so it begins to build up in your blood.”
Glucose is a type of sugar, and too much sugar in the blood can lead to long-term health consequences. The NHS pointed out that the long-term effects of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, and therefore too much sugar in the blood, can lead to permanent nerve and eye damage. If diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, regularly monitoring blood sugar levels is recommended.
Mr Murphy added: “The most common practice is using a glucometer, where you prick your finger with a lancet, place a drop of blood on a test strip, and insert it into the meter for reading.
“For most diabetics, checking levels one to four times a day is common. This is typically before meals and at bedtime, or as advised by your GP.”
To help control blood sugar levels, diet is a crucial element, including what you drink.
And there’s one seemingly healthy drink that Mr Murphy reckons diabetics should “avoid”; he said: “Avoid fruit juices.”
While whole fruits are good for you, as they contain essential nutrients and fibre, fruit juices can spike blood sugar levels.
Leading charity Diabetes UK explained that fruit juices “have most of the fibre (roughage) removed when they are made”.
Consequently, this can make it fairly easy to drink large quantities of the juice in a short amount of time.
“This means you could be drinking a lot of extra calories, carbs and sugar,” the charity warned.
If you are going to drink fruit juice, Diabetes UK said it’s best to limit consumption to just one glass (150ml) per day.
“Make sure your drink goes further by diluting it with water,” the charity noted.
Could I be diabetic?
Mr Murphy pointed out that 1.3million people in the UK could be living with type 2 diabetes without a diagnosis.
Should you experience any of the following symptoms, note them down and book a doctor’s appointment:
- Urinating more frequently than usual
- Feeling very thirsty
- Feeling extremely tired
- Losing weight without trying to
- Repeatedly getting thrush
- Blurred vision
- Cuts and wounds taking longer to heal than usual