Does sugar cause diabetes?

There are two main types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2. Type 2 is the one referred to here and is associated with a complex range of risk factors including being overweight. Current scientific evidence has not established that sugar directly causes Type 2 diabetes, however there is an association between sugars-sweetened beverage consumption and increased incidence of Type 2 diabetes*.

Please see our Spotlight On…Diabetes for more information.

* SACN (2015) Carbohydrates and Health Report
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/445503/SACN_Carbohydrates_and_Health.pdf (accessed 20/07/15)