Often, when the subject of diabetes comes up, the answer seems simple enough: eliminate sugar and eliminate the problem. This is an oversimplified view of diabetes, of course, but many men and women pursue diets that severely restrict sugars in favor of protein and vegetables in order to minimize diabetes symptoms and create a healthier future.

The Draw of Removing Sugar

Sugar is often seen as something evil, to be avoided at all costs. This is particularly true for men and women with diabetes, who have long been told that sugar is enemy number one, and is the cause of diabetes. While this is a single contributor to the pitfalls of a poor diet, sugar is not necessarily worthy of the demonized view it often receives.

Still, the idea persists that removing sugar is a holy grail of sorts for diabetes. Numerous diet and lifestyle coaches insist that eliminating sugar as much as possible (some even including fruits in this mandate) is the true pathway to health, happiness, and longevity—not to mention the singular way to reverse Type 2 diabetes.

Evidence Supporting—Or Rejecting—the Claim

Unfortunately, taking sugar off of your to-eat list is not enough to make your diabetes do a sudden and emphatic 180-degree switch. Greatly reducing sugar can do wonders for your health, particularly if you have diabetes. High-sugar diets can cause severe blood sugar ups and downs, but sugar alone is not enough to instigate diabetes, nor is it enough to remove diabetes from your body’s make-up.

In fact, sugar is absolutely necessary for your body to function properly. Your energy is derived from sugar, for instance, and sugar plays a vital role in all of your metabolic processes. The problem comes primarily from highly refined, processed sugar, and the overconsumption of sugary foods, including fruit and carbohydrates.

When Should You Eliminate Sugar?

Sugar is best eliminated in its more processed forms, such as those found in candy, desserts, and cereals. Healthy, whole sugar, though, found in fruit, carbohydrates, and dark chocolate is of great use to the body and should not be eliminated in the hope of “curing” diabetes. Effectively managing diabetes is achieved through consistently consuming whole foods (including sugars) and exercising, as well as any medication suggested by your physician.

Temporarily eliminating sugar can be useful in “resetting” your taste buds, but should not be practiced long-term, as this can actually starve your body. The purpose of a taste bud reset is not to remove sugar from your body, but may be useful in helping you grow acclimated to whole foods rather than processed items.