These days, many people consider themselves healthy by drinking tea or coffee without sugar in the morning. They think that by giving up sugar, the risk of diabetes will be eliminated. However, Dr. Shehla Shaikh, an endocrinologist at Mumbai’s Saifee Hospital, says the reality is much more serious. Simply removing sugar from tea doesn’t prevent diabetes. Many people are still suffering from this disease even while drinking tea without sugar.
Dr. Shehla Shaikh told the media that many people think that by not adding sugar to tea and coffee, they will be safe from diabetes. However, this alone is not enough. Some other habits affect blood sugar even more. The real danger lies in our daily lifestyle. Sitting in a chair from morning till evening, getting less sleep, being stressed, and eating processed foods are gradually making the body sick from within. Sitting in front of a laptop for hours in offices has become commonplace. People rarely leave their seats for 8 to 10 hours. This habit weakens the body’s response to insulin.
Research shows that sitting for long periods of time every day increases the risk of diabetes. When the body is inactive, the muscles cannot use glucose properly. This increases insulin resistance, and blood sugar gradually goes out of control. Dr. According to Shehla Shaikh, “A sedentary lifestyle has become a major cause of diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. This habit can be as harmful as smoking.
Not only is sedentary living, but lack of sleep also has a profound impact on the body. Today, most people use their mobile phones or work until late at night, then wake up early in the morning. The body doesn’t get proper rest. This directly impacts blood sugar. Studies have found that insufficient sleep reduces insulin sensitivity, meaning the body can’t use insulin properly. Additionally, stress hormones like cortisol increase in the body, which further worsens blood sugar.
Stress is also becoming a major cause of diabetes. Constant stress causes the body to release more glucose. This is why many people experience high blood sugar even without consuming much sugar. Furthermore, sugar-free products available in the market are misleading people. Just because the label “sugar-free” on the package doesn’t mean it’s healthy. Many such products contain refined flour, processed oils, and high carbohydrates, which can raise blood sugar.
Experts say that simply cutting back on sugar isn’t enough to prevent diabetes. It’s more important to take a short walk every day, get up from your seat every hour, eat foods rich in fiber and protein, reduce stress, and get 7 to 8 hours of good sleep. Because the real difference isn’t just made by cutting out sugar in tea, but by changing your entire lifestyle.