The Hidden Myths Driving India’s Diabetes Crisis! Experts Reveal Facts That Matter Now

Across the busy hospitals, small towns and the rural health centres in India, physicians are encountering the troubling pattern – younger patients, rising complications and a growing burden that no age group seems to be immune to. Globally, the number of people living with diabetes has surged from 200 million in 1990 to 830 million in 2022, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The WHO classifies diabetes as a threat that cuts across every stage of life – from childhood to old age, urging the world to adopt a life-course approach to management. For India, the crisis runs deeper and more urgent. Often referred to as the “diabetes capital of the world,” the country has witnessed an escalation in diagnosis across three decades.

A landmark study published in PubMed Central in May 2025 titled “The rising burden of diabetes and state-wise variations in India: insights from the Global Burden of Disease Study 1990–2021 and projections to 2031” revealed that India’s diabetes incidence increased from 162.74 to 264.53 per 100,000 between 1990 and 2021.

Projections indicate that by 2031, prevalence will climb to 8585 per 100,000, while Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) could cross 1241 per 100,000—numbers that indicate not just disease, but years of life altered, impaired, or lost.

The Growing Weight Of A Global Crisis

Diabetes today is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. In 2021, over 2 million deaths were caused by diabetes and diabetes-related kidney disease, according to the WHO. Additionally, 11% of all cardiovascular deaths stemmed from high blood glucose.

The WHO emphasises that Diabetes can impact people across all life stages, including childhood, the reproductive years, working age and older adulthood. Yet more than half the world’s diabetic population did not take medication in 2022, highlighting significant gaps in awareness, affordability, and access.

Diabetes continues to affect millions across the globe, and many people still misunderstand how diabetes develops, what triggers it and how it can be managed. Experts addressed these myths that often lead to confusion.

Is Sugar The Main Cause Of Diabetes?

One of the most widespread misconceptions is that eating sugar directly causes diabetes. Dr Dheeraj Kapoor, Chief of Endocrinology at Artemis Hospitals, says this extreme restriction is unnecessary and often misleading. “It’s not the case that someone with diabetes must eliminate sweets entirely,” he explains. “You just need to be mindful of how much sugar and carbs you are consuming, when you are consuming them, and how they affect your blood sugar levels.”

Nutritionist Vijaya from Apollo Cradle, Bengaluru, supports the statement, saying moderation, not elimination, is the key. If blood sugar levels are well-controlled, she says, a small dessert within a balanced meal is absolutely fine. The real trick is portion control and pairing sweets with fibre or protein to prevent sudden spikes.

Diabetes Runs In The Family?

Many people assume that diabetes is inevitable if it runs in the family, but doctors insist the truth is more nuanced. “Having a parent or grandparent with diabetes raises the chance of getting it, but that does not mean a person will,” Dr Kapoor clarifies. Genetics may influence risk, but he stresses that lifestyle choices—diet, weight, physical activity—play an equally decisive role.

Is Insulin The Last Resort For Diabetes?

Fear of insulin prevents many patients from seeking timely treatment, experts say. Dr Kapoor explains that insulin is not a sign of failure but a treatment tool tailored to the patient’s needs. “People with Type 1 diabetes need insulin from the start. For Type 2, if lifestyle changes and oral medications don’t work, starting insulin early helps maintain stable blood sugar and prevents complications.”

Do Only Older People Get Diabetes?

Another persistent myth is that diabetes strikes only older adults. “Younger adults, teens, and even kids can get Type 2 diabetes, especially if they are overweight or have a family history,” Dr Kapoor notes.

Nutritionist Vijaya adds that Type 1 diabetes commonly appears in childhood or adolescence, further dispelling the notion that age protects anyone from developing the disease. Diabetes, she says, is increasingly an all-age condition.

Is Brown Sugar Or Jaggery Better Than White Sugar For Diabetics?

Despite popular belief, choosing jaggery or brown sugar over white sugar does not make much difference for diabetics. “A lot of people think jaggery is better, but the truth is that both raise blood sugar levels significantly,” Dr Kapoor says.

Nutritionist Vijaya adds that all three – white sugar, brown sugar, and jaggery—contain sucrose and have similar glycemic effects. The focus, she says, should be on cutting down added sugars altogether rather than swapping one form for another.

Can A Single Slice Of White Bread Push You One Step Closer To Diabetes?

White bread is not strictly forbidden, but doctors urge moderation. Dr Kapoor explains that refined flour leads to rapid glucose spikes, making it harder for diabetic patients to maintain stable blood sugar.

Nutritionist Vijaya recommends whole-grain or multigrain bread instead, as they are higher in fibre and nutrients. She advises pairing any bread with protein or healthy fats to prevent sudden sugar absorption.

Does Skipping Breakfast Raise Your Blood Sugar More Than Eating Dessert?

A surprising myth is the belief that skipping breakfast is better than eating something sweet. Dr Kapoor says that not eating breakfast disrupts metabolism and can cause blood sugar levels to rise later in the day.

Nutritionist Vijaya adds that skipping meals prompts the liver to release stored glucose, resulting in unexpected spikes. A balanced breakfast, which is rich in fibre, protein, and complex carbs, helps stabilise blood sugar far better than skipping the meal altogether.

Is It Safe For Diabetics To Follow Keto Or Low-Carb Diets?

Low-carb and keto diets are often marketed as ideal for diabetics, but experts insist these plans are not universally safe. Dr Kapoor warns that drastic carb reduction can lead to dangerously low blood sugar if medications aren’t adjusted properly. Dr Vijaya adds that such diets must be followed only under medical supervision, as they may cause nutritional deficiencies or hypoglycemia.

Can Diabetes Be Cured Completely?

Both experts emphasise that no single food or drink can cure diabetes. While some people may achieve remission of Type 2 diabetes through weight management, diet, exercise, and medication, Dr Kapoor stresses that this is not a permanent cure.
Dr Vijaya concludes that long-term management—not quick fixes—is the real solution. Balanced meals, regular activity, timely medication, and blood sugar monitoring remain the pillars of living healthy with diabetes.

What Makes Diabetes Dangerous?

As per Health.com, poorly or untreated diabetes can lead to

• Heart disease
• Kidney failure
• Stroke
• Nerve damage
• Mental health conditions
• Lower limb amputation
• Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

These complications arise from the persistent, long-term impact of blood sugar on the body’s systems. The damage is slow and silent, and often irreversible by the time symptoms appear.

Why Is Diabetes Increasing In India?

According to the Journal of the Association of Physicians of India, “environmental and lifestyle factors outweigh genetic contributors in driving India’s diabetes epidemic. The journal highlights several reasons:

• Excess carbohydrate consumption
• Rapid urbanization
• Increased obesity
• Sedentary lifestyles
• Low levels of physical activity
• Poor dietary diversity
• Limited preventive screening

The journal emphasises that while preventing diabetes on a national scale is difficult, preventing complications is far more achievable.

Diabetes is not just a disease; it is a lifelong challenge that tests the resilience of individuals and families. With the right knowledge, timely guidance, and informed lifestyle choices, diabetes can be managed effectively.