Learn why eating too fast can increase your risk of diabetes

Fast eating can trigger specific cytokines which eventually increase insulin resistance. (Photo: reproduction)

The scientific community warns, through some studies, that eating too fast can increase the risk of diabetes. The orientation is to chew each portion of the food at least 30 times before swallowing, not only to facilitate digestion but also to prevent diseases. Under-chewing food is a habit associated with weight gain and obesity, which in turn increases the risk of diabetes and increased visceral fat.

What happens is that when chewing is slower, the body takes less time to understand that it is receiving food. This also increases the response of appetite-regulating hormones, helping to maintain weight in a healthy way.

In a study published in Scientific Reports, researchers investigated the relationship between eating speed and new onset diabetes. The study had 197,825 participants without diabetes, who completed questionnaires about eating habits.

Through the study, it was possible to discover that among the group with diabetes there were a greater number of people who have the habit of eating quickly, compared to the group that did not develop diabetes.

According to research presented in the Annals of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism, eating fast reduces chewing time, which leads to significantly higher concentrations of glucose in the body. “Fast eating can trigger specific cytokines that eventually increase insulin resistance,” the study points out.

What does science know about diabetes?

But what is diabetes, exactly? Science answers us: when fasting blood glucose exceeds 125 mg/dl, it can already be considered diabetes. The disease can cause increased blood glucose and high rates can lead to complications in the heart, arteries, eyes, kidneys and nerves.

Also, in more severe cases, diabetes can lead to death. The disease is caused by a deficiency in the production of a hormone called insulin, secreted by the pancreas, and is practically divided into two types.

Diabetes type 1

Type 1 diabetes is considered a non-communicable, hereditary chronic disease that usually appears in childhood or adolescence. People with close relatives who have or have had the condition should have regular tests to monitor their blood glucose.

Treatment requires daily use of insulin and/or other medications to control blood glucose. The cause of type 1 diabetes is still unknown and the best way to prevent it is by balancing your diet, performing physical activities and avoiding alcohol, tobacco and drugs.

Type 2 diabetes

Meanwhile, type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not properly utilize the insulin it produces. The cause of the disease is directly related to overweight, sedentary lifestyle, high triglycerides, hypertension and poor eating habits.

It is essential to maintain medical follow-up to also treat these other diseases, which may appear along with diabetes. It is the development of an autoimmune process in the body, which begins to attack the cells of the pancreas. Also, as per scientific findings, it is important not to eat too fast.