Separating fact from fiction: busting common myths about diabetes

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:30:00 EDT

By Kimberly Carr

Over 38 million adults and children in United States have diabetes, with a new diagnosis every 26 seconds. Though it is one of the most common chronic diseases, myths and misconceptions about both type 1 and type 2 diabetes easily spread — especially online. Misinformation can cause fear, guilt and confusion, making it harder for people to effectively manage their condition.

Manasi Shah, MD, assistant professor of Medicine and diabetes specialist at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences EVMS Medical Group at Old Dominion University, helps separate fact from fiction in busting these myths about diabetes.

Myth: Type 1 diabetes turns into type 2 when you become 18 years old.

Type 1 diabetes does not change to type 2 at 18 years, adulthood, or old age. Type 1 is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s antibodies destroy the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes can have many causes and risk factors. There is some overlap in these two types, where some people with positive antibodies may continue to make enough insulin while some with type 2 diabetes may fail to make enough insulin after many years of having diabetes.

Myth: Type 2 diabetes only affects those who are overweight or ate too much candy as a kid.

It is a complication of obesity, but type 2 diabetes also affects individuals at any weight.  A lot depends on ethnicity and body composition as well. Eating too much candy as a kid leads to increase in weight, a major risk factor of diabetes. However, type 2 diabetes develops from a combination of things like genetic predisposition, environmental factors, other health issues like hypertension, dyslipidaemia, ethnicity and a lifestyle consisting of an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise.

Myth: When you have diabetes, you must cut out all sugar - including fruit.

There are two forms of carbohydrates- simple and complex. Table sugar and fruits are both simple carbohydrates but they are quite different. Table sugar is a refined product that consists of glucose, a fibreless, non-nutritious, caloric food which does not require much digestion. Absorbed into the blood stream, it almost immediately raises blood sugars and also creates changes in the body that are addictive.

Fruits, however, have a natural sugar called fructose in addition to glucose (% varies by type of fruit). They are a great source of vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, fibre–all essential for the body. Fruits can also raise blood sugar, but its fibre content slows the rise in blood glucose.

The key is to eat fruit in small, controlled portions and preferably after you eat some healthy fat and protein. This helps to slow absorption of the sugars. Avoid high-glucose fruits such as mango, grapes and banana. For example, it’s better to eat a fruit like a medium-sized apple 2-3 hours before or after a large meal. It can also be eaten as an evening snack to help you avoid munching on oily snacks.

Myth: You will go blind you don’t take care of your diabetes.

Untreated or poor control of diabetes increases the risk of vision loss due to damage of the retina, but not every patient with diabetes will become blind. Diabetes also causes early cataracts. These diseases can be treated and timely intervention can prevent blindness. Regular eye exams (including retina check) and strict control of diabetes, blood pressure and dyslipidaemia (abnormal levels of lipids in the bloodstream) can prevent or delay the progression of visual impairment.

Myth: This [currently popular] fad diet will totally cure diabetes.

The claim of fad diets to cure diabetes is false and some can even be dangerous. Fad diets are temporary and unsustainable over the long term. However, losing weight by eating fewer calories can help manage blood sugar and may even lead to diabetes remission, as long as the weight loss is maintained.

Myth: Type 2 diabetes is irreversible.

Type 2 diabetes can undergo remission through weight loss – if it’s sustained. In lean people with type 2 diabetes, remission is possible through a change in diet and exercise that improves body composition. However, because diabetes is also a genetic disease and tends to worsen with age, there is only so much lifestyle changes can do.  There is always a possibility of the disease coming back, so “remission” is a more accurate term than “cure.”

To learn more about diabetes and to make an appointment with one of our diabetes experts in the Department of Medicine, call 757-446-5908.