2023-11-14 06:29:00
Diabetes, millions of Italians suffer from it. Expert advice: “Healthy living, physical activity and… sweeteners”
There are 3.9 million, or 6.6% of the population, Italians who suffer from diabetes. In recent years, treatments and awareness of the best ways to manage this disease have made great strides. There are many strategies that can be implemented by those who suffer from it. THE sweetenersfor example, offer diabetics wider food choices and can help, in the case of type 2 diabetesas they do not raise blood glucose levels.
Precisely for this reason, on the occasion of the World Diabetes Day (November 14), Italian Food Union – Sweeteners Group emphasizes the importance of promoting the culture of these products through expert advice on how to use them best and correctly. Tomorrow for the day many institutional buildings will be colored blue, such as Montecitorio.
Diabetes represents one of the most persistent pathologies of the century. The frequency of this disease is increasing everywhere and even in Italy the data is evolving negatively. Second l’Italian Diabetes Barometer Report 2023realized by IBDO Foundation, in 2022 the number of diabetics in Italy is increasing with 3.9 million affected subjects, or 6.6% of the general population. Since 2019 there has even been an increase of +14%, equal to 400 thousand more cases.
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Il type 2 diabetes, also called adult-onset diabetes, is the most frequent and represents 90% of diabetes cases. The type 1 diabetesalso called juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes, represents approximately 10%.
Diabetes prevention can be achieved through various steps and changes in habits and is considered the most effective method to prevent the onset of this form of diabetes. Adopting one healthy lifestyle and the constant monitoring of risk factors, through the early identification of people at risk and their involvement in prevention programs, are the key principles of this path.
“The relationship between sweeteners e diabetes has been the subject of numerous studies, reviews and meta-analyses”, declares the Doctor Luca Pirettagastroenterologist, nutritionist and professor of food allergies and intolerances at the Campus Bio Medico University of Rome.
“It is clear first of all that the low-calorie sweeteners they do not negatively affect blood glucose and insulin levels, making them suitable for people with diabetes. They also allow people with diabetes to better manage carbohydrate intake while still enjoying sweet-tasting foods and drinks, but with fewer or no calories. Furthermore, controlled clinical studies demonstrate that sweeteners do not adversely affect glucose control or health cardio metabolic healthsuggesting that incorporating the recommended doses of these substances, reducing the amount of simple sugars consumed, can support a healthy lifestyle, which is the main and ideal tool to prevent type 2 diabetes.”
Used instead of sugar in many foods and drinks to provide a sweet alternative with few or no added calories, sweeteners are ingredients that can be hundreds of times sweeter than table sugar. Very small quantities are therefore needed to deliver.
Balanced diet: following a healthy and balanced diet is essential. Reduce consumption of foods high in saturated fats e refined sugarsincluding through the adoption of sweetenersand adapting the intake of fruit, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins to the Italian guidelines for healthy eating are all valid solutions for controlling portions and avoiding overweight.
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Regular physical activity: try to dedicate at least 3 hours a week of regular, structured physical activity, such as walking, swimming or cycling. This must be combined with an increase in normal daily movement, for example preferring the stairs to the lift. Physical activity helps control weight by improving the ability of muscles to use insulin and absorb glucose.
Monitor i blood sugar levels: People with a high risk of diabetes, such as those with a family history of type 2 diabetes, should monitor their blood sugar levels regularly, so they can identify any changes early and take preventative measures. Next to home glycemic controlit is also necessary to regularly carry out general analyzes in agreement with your family doctor, in particular with periodic checks of glycosylated hemoglobin.
Attention to alcohol e smoke: Excessive alcohol consumption can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. Reducing or avoiding alcohol consumption and smoking is therefore a fundamental recommendation. “Light” smokers are about 29% more likely to develop diabetes than nonsmokers, and heavy smokers are at an even higher risk.
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