Diabetes is a serious disease that plagues many Americans. The risk of developing the condition is governed by diet, weight, and genetics, among other factors. It will come as welcome news to many people that one simple step can lower the chances of developing the disease by up to 25 percent.
If your doctor has let you know that you're at risk for developing early onset diabetes type 2, he's also probably suggested some ways to lessen the chances. Cutting back on sugar is likely at the top of the list. Fortunately for those who struggle with lifestyle changes, there's an easy way to do that. Researchers have discovered a connection between the portion of daily calories a person ingests via sugary drinks and the incidence of the diseases. Specifically, every 5 percent higher intake through these drinks is linked to an 18 percent increase in disease development. If you were to do one thing each day to greatly lower your chances, it should be to replace one sugary drink with an unsweetened alternative. Switching your soda or juices for water, unsweetened tea, or coffee can lower the chances by 25%.
Since the disease is serious and can lead to severe complications, it's necessary to discuss any changes in diet with your doctor. It's likely a medical professional will agree with the study and urge you to replace one or more sodas or juices with water or another healthy option each day. Additionally, other steps in prevention are to increase activity and lower stress. Getting plenty of sleep, eating a balanced diet, and scheduling regular checkups to get tested are also vital.
Fortunately, this is a disease for which it's possible to manage your risk. Talk to your doctor about your own chances and how to develop a plan to avoid the condition. An overall healthy lifestyle is recommended. Low stress, high activity, and balanced eating are key. However, for those teetering on the edge of early onset development or simply interested in going the extra mile, dropping one sugary drink per day is a simple way to better your chances by up to 25%. It's an easy path to cutting sugar and doesn't require the type of major lifestyle change that tends to put people off. Avoiding the disease means avoiding all the unpleasant complications that can come along with it, so everyone is advised to take this little trick into consideration.