If you’ve been told that sugar is “toxic,” you’re not alone. Social media is full of warnings that sugar is aging your body, causing inflammation, and damaging your health. But the truth is less dramatic—and more useful. Sugar isn’t a poison. But eating too much added sugar, especially on a regular basis, can make it harder to maintain a healthy weight, steady blood sugar, and good metabolic health. And after 50, paying attention to how much added sugar you eat can be a smart

Type 2 diabetes can develop slowly. In fact, many people may have high blood sugar for quite some time before they realize anything is wrong. That is especially important as we get older. Some symptoms can be easy to blame on aging, stress, medications, or simply having a few “off” days. But certain changes in your body are worth paying attention to. Here are 10 possible warning signs of type 2 diabetes. 1. You’re Making More Trips to the Bathroom Have you noticed that you’re

If you've recently had a routine checkup, you may have noticed a number called A1C on your blood-test results. Maybe your doctor said it was “a little high.” Or perhaps you saw a number like 5.8, 6.2 or 7.1 and weren't sure what it meant. Don't worry—you don't need a medical degree to understand it. Think of your A1C as a three-month report card for your blood sugar. Unlike a blood sugar test that tells you what's happening at one particular moment, an A1C gives you a much bi

By the time you reach 50, you've learned that your body doesn't always whisper when something's wrong—it often gives you plenty of warning if you're paying attention. The trouble is that many of us are busy with work, family, and responsibilities, so it's easy to ignore the little signs. One health issue that's becoming far too common in America is high blood sugar. You don't have to be a doctor to recognize that our modern lifestyle—too much processed food, too little moveme

As we get older, the foods we eat have an even greater impact on our energy, heart health, and blood sugar. If you're living with type 2 diabetes—or simply trying to lower your risk—you don't have to give up your favorite meals. The secret is making smarter swaps that deliver flavor without overwhelming your body with excess calories, refined carbohydrates, or sodium. Here are practical meal ideas that can help you enjoy eating while supporting healthy blood sugar levels. Sta

Many of us start paying closer attention to our health after 50, especially when it comes to keeping our minds sharp. The good news is that healthier eating habits can improve brain function. The less encouraging news? New research suggests that years of eating a diet high in sugar may leave behind changes that aren't completely reversible. Researchers reviewed 27 animal studies to see what happened when rodents switched from unhealthy diets to healthier ones. While memory im

Does chocolate lower blood pressure or raise it? Chocolate can raise or lower blood pressure depending on the type, ingredients, and how much you consume. Cocoa contains flavanols, which are natural plant compounds that may support blood vessel function. For some people, that may lead to modest improvements in blood pressure. But many chocolate products also contain added sugar, saturated fat and caffeine or theobromine, which can change the overall effect. What type of choco

Diabetes is one of the most common health conditions around the world and in the United States. About 11.6% of people in the United States live with the condition. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form you may have heard of, but you might be surprised by what you still don’t know. Ongoing research in recent years has improved diagnosis, treatment, and knowledge about type 2 diabetes, allowing for better prevention and management. We’ve partnered with Stelo by Dexcom to brin

Sugar often gets blamed for everything from weight gain to heart disease. But is it really the villain it’s made out to be? The answer isn’t simple. Sugar appears in many forms, and those distinctions matter for health, says Tara M. Schmidt, M.Ed., RDN, LD, a lead registered dietitian and instructor of nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Before deciding whether sugar is “bad,” it helps to understand where it comes from, how it’s used and what else comes with it. Comparing

Bread tends to be one of the first foods people eliminate from their diet when they're concerned about blood sugar management, but it doesn't have to be. The type of breads you eat, how they're made, and what you eat them with matters most for your blood sugar and overall health. 1. Sprouted Grain Bread Sprouted grain bread is made from whole grains that have started to sprout. This process breaks down some of the starch into compounds that are easier to digest, leading to a

From marinara sauce to peanut butter, added sugar can be found in even the most unexpected products. Many people rely on quick, processed foods for meals and snacks. Since these products often contain added sugar, it makes up a large proportion of their daily calorie intake. In the United States, the average adult consumes an estimated 17 teaspoons of added sugar each day. That accounts for 14% of total calorie intake in adults following a 2,000-calorie diet. Experts believe

Breakfast cereals can be a quick and easy choice for busy mornings, but for people with diabetes, it can be confusing to choose the right fit since many cereals are known for their added sugar. When shopping for the best breakfast options, it’s important to prioritize cereals that are high in fiber, low in added sugars and made from whole grains. Fiber helps slow digestion, promoting more stable blood sugar levels throughout the day, while whole grains offer complex carbohydr

Type 2 diabetes is a common condition where your body loses its ability to use up glucose in the blood, also known as blood sugar. There are a number of symptoms that can accompany type 2 diabetes, and many of them start to show up early. The most common early signs of type 2 diabetes are frequent urination, extreme thirst, and persistent hunger. However, there are other symptoms that may alert you to this disease. A diagnosis can feel life changing, but type 2 diabetes is ve

Exercise has various health benefits, from maintaining a moderate weight to improving heart health. While all exercise is beneficial, a recent study found that exercising in the morning may yield greater cardiometabolic benefits than later in the day. It’s unclear whether the relationship between exercise and cardiometabolic health is mediated by other factors or causal. However, the researchers noted that the findings could inform counseling approaches for physical activity

High: Makes You Pee More Your kidneys have to work hard to process all that extra sugar in your blood. When they can’t keep up, your body gets rid of it, along with water that your body needs. High: Makes You Thirsty To get rid of that extra sugar, your body draws water from its own tissues. Because you need that fluid to make energy, transfer nutrients, and get rid of waste, a switch flips in your brain to tell you that you’re thirsty so you’ll drink more. High: Dry Mout

About 40 million Americans—12% of the U.S. population—have diabetes, 38 million of them having type 2 diabetes. People with diabetes are often advised to limit their consumption of sweets to help manage their blood sugar levels. But a crucial component of a healthy eating pattern is that it's enjoyable so you can stick with it for the long haul, which means that occasionally including a dessert or sweet snack can be a smart move—and this includes chocolate. But choosing which

If you have Type 2 diabetes (T2D), you may need to take insulin or other medications, like metformin or GLP-1s, to help manage your blood sugar (glucose). Monitoring your blood sugar levels, getting regular A1C tests and paying attention to any symptoms can help your healthcare provider know if your treatment is working. Registered dietitian and diabetes educator Nicole Bruno, RD, LD, shares how you can know if your Type 2 diabetes treatment is working. Signs your Type 2 diab

If you have symptoms such as severe increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, increased hunger, and tingling in your hands or feet, your doctor may run a test for diabetes. According to the CDC, some 38 million children and adults in the U.S., or over 11% of the population, have diabetes today. Yet, millions of Americans are unaware that they have diabetes because they may not have symptoms. To confirm the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, your doctor will or

Type 2 diabetes is a long-term, chronic medical condition. It develops mostly in adults but is becoming more common in children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Several factors contribute to type 2 diabetes, including overweight and obesity. Type 2 diabetes can lead to life threatening complications, but with treatment, you can manage the condition or cause it to go into remission. Read on for more information about managing diabetes for b

Oct. 12, 2012, was the day I almost died — and also the first step on a path that led to how I manage my type 2 diabetes and how it affected my heart. I’m an emergency medical technician and a retired Army medic, but that day I didn’t recognize I was the one having the emergency. A few months earlier, my wife, Sheila, and I had decided to get healthier by losing weight and exercising more. I was pushing 330 pounds, and though I felt fine and had annual checkups, I knew I nee