Diabetes Is a Dangerous Disease with Many Complications—And Diet Plays a Major Role

Diabetes is a serious condition that can lead to a wide range of complications. One of the main causes of diabetes is diet. Alarmingly, the disease is affecting younger individuals more and more. As of now, there is no definitive cure for diabetes—most treatments rely on managing the condition through diet restrictions, blood sugar control, insulin injections, or glucose-lowering medications.

If left uncontrolled, diabetes can lead to complications that damage internal organs, the nervous system, and may even increase the risk of cancer.

This is sadly exemplified by the case of a 36-year-old teacher who passed away due to complications from diabetes.

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The Tragic Case of Ms. Luong, a 36-Year-Old Teacher

Ms. Luong, a Chinese language teacher at an elementary school in China, tragically passed away at the age of 36 due to diabetes.

In late 2020, she began experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, exhaustion, rapid heart rate, and abdominal pain. However, due to her tight schedule—making up for COVID-related closures and preparing her students for exams—she did not go to the hospital.

A few months ago, Ms. Luong suddenly fainted in front of her classroom. At the hospital, her blood sugar level was found to be extremely high, and she was diagnosed with severe diabetes.

Despite medical intervention, her condition worsened, and she fell into a sudden coma. After 8 hours of emergency treatment, she sadly passed away.

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“She Rarely Ate Sweets”—But Still Got Diabetes

Her husband was in disbelief. Tearfully, he asked the doctors how his wife—who hardly ever ate sweets—could have developed such a serious condition.

After reviewing her daily habits, doctors discovered that although Ms. Luong didn’t consume sugary snacks, there were four favorite dishes in her diet that significantly raised her blood sugar levels:

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1. Eggplant (Cooked with Oil and Seasonings)

Normally, eggplant is a healthy food—100g contains 1000mg of protein, 15mg calcium, 400mcg iron, 1.5g fiber, 34mg phosphorus, 10mcg carotene, 15mg vitamin C, 600mg vitamin PP, and 100mcg vitamin B2, with no fat or cholesterol.

However, Ms. Luong often braised eggplant with lots of oil and seasonings. Despite being only 1.5 meters tall, she weighed nearly 65kg—considered overweight. Combined with her high-fat diet, this impaired her metabolism and raised her blood sugar levels.

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2. White Cauliflower (Stir-Fried in Lard)

She also frequently ate white cauliflower, a low-calorie vegetable good for weight loss. However, she stir-fried it using pork fat. Doctors note that cauliflower absorbs a lot of oil, and regular consumption prepared this way can harm one’s health over time.

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3. Other High-Risk Foods That Raise Blood Sugar

White Bread
White bread is made from refined grains, not whole grains. When consumed excessively or too frequently, it can cause blood sugar levels to spike, increasing the risk of diabetes.

French Fries
Like most fried foods, French fries are high in both carbs and fat—two major culprits in worsening diabetes. When you eat fries, your blood sugar can spike quickly and remain elevated because fats take longer to digest.

Canned Tomato Sauce
A popular condiment, but just one tablespoon of canned tomato sauce contains about one teaspoon of sugar. It’s best to limit consumption to avoid blood sugar spikes.

Canned Soups
While fresh homemade soup is a healthy way to get vegetables, store-bought canned soups often contain hidden ingredients like salt, sugar, and corn syrup. Frequent intake can silently raise your risk of developing diabetes.

White Rice
White rice is high in starch, which is converted into sugar after digestion. After eating rice, blood sugar levels can spike rapidly. For people with diabetes, it’s best not to overconsume white rice and instead increase intake of vegetables and whole grains.