I have got a questions - As cyclists we often during hard training rides and races take in HI GI carbs in the form of energy drinks, gu's, gels etc..and also eat a lot of carbs to keep us fueled for the next day. Do all this stuff not eventually cause insulin resistance resulting in you potentially a risk factor for diabetes? My concern is that almost everyday I see an article that warns against diabetes and it seems like one of the culprits for causing diabetes (not sure what type) are all these refined sugars . Does anyone have any knowledge on this subject or know where I can read more ? I am specifically looking for some research done on cyclists/endurance athletes. FYI, here is an article i found on the net explaining Glucose etc. http://health.discovery.com/common/sgallery/transp.gif How Does the Body Normally Use Glucose? http://health.discovery.com/common/sgallery/transp.gif Digestive juices in the stomach break down most of the food you eat into glucose. Glucose is a simple form of sugar, the main source of fuel for the body. Once food is broken down into glucose, it moves into the bloodstream. To get glucose out of the bloodstream and into the body's cells where it can be used for growth and energy, the hormone insulin must be present. Insulin acts like a key that opens the door to allow glucose into the body's cells. The pancreas, the gland that lies behind the stomach, makes insulin. In people who don't have diabetes, the pancreas naturally makes just the right amount of insulin needed to move glucose into the body's cells. How Does Diabetes Affect the Body's Glucose Use? http://health.discovery.com/common/sgallery/transp.gif Diabetes affects the body's ability to use food for energy. With diabetes, your body either can't make or can't properly use your body's insulin. In people who have diabetes, the pancreas either produces no insulin or not enough insulin. Sometimes the insulin is produced but can't be used by the body's cells. The insulin "key" to the cells' "doors" is either not present or doesn't work right. Without insulin, the cell "doors" stay closed, and glucose builds to dangerous levels in the bloodstream. That high level of blood glucose is called hyperglycemia. Once the amount of blood glucose is too high, some of this glucose spills into the urine and out of the body. When glucose builds up in the blood, two things can happen: The cells don't receive enough food and become starved for energy. Over time, high blood glucose levels can damage the eyes, kidneys, heart, blood vessels, and nerves.
