Diabetes in India isn’t just common, it’s become one of the biggest silent health crises. More than 11 per cent of Indians today have diabetes, meaning roughly 101 million people are living with it, and another large chunk, about 15 per cent, are in the pre-diabetes zone, where blood sugar is high but not yet full-blown diabetes. These numbers come from major health surveys and research published in The Lancet, showing the scale of the issue across the country.“Diabetes has become one of India’s most widespread lifestyle diseases, yet confusion around it remains surprisingly common. From food phobias to the way it is treated, there are a number of firmly entrenched beliefs that affect the management of the health condition, albeit in a damaging way. What is worse is that the damage that diabetes causes is silent damage, especially in the kidneys,” Dr. Suman Sethi, Director; Head – Institute of Nephrology, RG Hospitals – Ludhiana told TOI Health.And here’s a part that’s really worrying: lots of people don’t even know they have it. One report suggested that millions of Indians are unaware they have diabetes, walking around thinking they’re fine while their blood sugar silently damages their body.“If high sugar levels in the blood do not reduce, small arteries in the body, which purify the blood, can become damaged over time. Gradually, a condition called diabetic kidney disease can develop, which is among the major causes for renal failure in India. Demystifying myths is not just about managing sugar levels; it is also about preserving the precious organs before it’s too late,” the expert warned and highlighted the common myths that Indians still believe despite much awareness of the disease.So why are myths about diabetes so common? Part of it is that most people don’t really understand what diabetes is. For many, the word just means “high sugar,” and that’s it. There’s this idea that if you avoid sweets, you’re safe. But diabetes is a complicated metabolic condition, it has to do with how your body makes and uses insulin, not just how many laddoos you ate last week. Surveys in parts of India have found that a surprising percentage of people believe things like diabetes only happens to older folks, or that it’s not serious, or that eating sugar directly causes it in a simple cause-and-effect way.
These kinds of beliefs stick around because accurate information doesn’t always reach people, and because health education is still limited in many communities. So people rely on hearsay, friends, family, social media, and a lot of that chatter is just plain wrong. And when science feels distant or confusing, it’s easier to fall back on familiar ideas, even if they’re myths. In order to clear confusion about diabetes, Dr. Suman Sethi has debunked some very common myths:
Myth 1: “I don’t eat sweets, so I won’t get diabetes.”
This belief is deeply ingrained, but inaccurate. Sugar alone does not cause diabetes. Every carbohydrate we eat, whether it is rice, roti, fruits or potatoes, turns into glucose in the bloodstream. Factors like family history, excess weight, lack of exercise and chronic stress play a much bigger role. Someone who avoids desserts but lives an inactive life can still develop diabetes. When sugar levels stay high for years, the kidneys are forced to overwork, gradually weakening their ability to filter blood properly.
Myth 2: “Diabetes will go away once I start treatment.”
Unlike many illnesses, diabetes does not disappear with time. Type 1 diabetes requires lifelong insulin. Type 2 diabetes can be controlled well, sometimes even brought into remission, but it never truly vanishes.Assuming the disease is temporary often leads people to skip follow-ups or stop monitoring sugar levels. This is risky for the kidneys, because early kidney damage rarely causes symptoms. By the time swelling, fatigue or reduced urine output appear, significant harm may already be done.
Myth 3: “Rice and chapati are completely off-limits.”
Many newly diagnosed patients panic about food and believe they must avoid all carbohydrates. In truth, a diabetic diet is not about elimination, it is about balance.Whole grains, millets, brown rice and mixed-grain rotis are better choices than refined white rice or maida. Portion control and timing matter more than total avoidance. A steady, well-planned diet keeps sugar levels stable, reducing stress on the kidneys and lowering the risk of long-term complications.
Myth 4: “I’m too young to have diabetes.”
Diabetes no longer belongs only to older adults. Increasing obesity, processed foods and sedentary lifestyles have pushed type 2 diabetes into teenagers and young adults. Type 1 diabetes is also more common in children.Early-onset diabetes means the kidneys are exposed to high sugar levels for decades. Without strict control, this greatly increases the chances of kidney failure later in life.
Myth 5: “Insulin cures diabetes.”
Insulin is not a cure, it is a powerful tool to manage blood sugars. It helps use up the excess glucose from the blood and store them in the cells. It aids in protecting our vital organs like our kidneys from further damage.However, insulin works best when combined with a healthy lifestyle. Without proper diet, exercise, and monitoring, insulin cannot prevent the complications, even if used appropriately.
Myth 6: “Once I’m on insulin, lifestyle changes are no longer necessary.”
This misconception is especially dangerous. Many people believe that starting insulin means food choices and physical activity no longer matter. In reality, insulin is added when tablets and lifestyle measures are no longer enough on their own.
When people begin to take insulin, they must also commit themselves to disciplined meals, maintain an active lifestyle and test their blood sugar regularly. Poor lifestyle choices can lead to uncontrolled blood sugar levels, putting those who have diabetes at increased risk for kidney disease, nerve damage and heart disease. Insulin is a helpful tool for helping achieve better management, but it cannot substitute responsibility. The harm of these myths isn’t just academic. If you think diabetes is “not a big deal,” you don’t go for regular checkups. If you think it only happens to “old people,” you ignore symptoms when you’re in your 30s or 40s. That’s how it progresses unnoticed, quietly damaging organs over years. One of the worst hits is to the kidneys. When blood sugar stays high over time, it damages the tiny blood vessels that filter your blood. This can lead to diabetic kidney disease, a condition affecting up to about 44 per cent of Indian people with type 2 diabetes in some studies, and eventually to kidney failure if it’s not caught and managed early.But it’s not just kidneys. Diabetes can hurt your heart, your eyes, your nerves, many parts of your body. The longer it goes unmanaged because of myth-driven complacency, the harder and more expensive it becomes to treat. A condition that should be detected with a simple blood test turns into something that changes someone’s entire life.So the biggest danger isn’t just the disease itself, it’s the stories people tell about it, the misunderstandings that make them delay care, and the quiet damage happening all the while. Change starts with honest conversations, correct information, and actually paying attention to your body before “it’s too late.”“Diabetes management is not about fear or restriction. It is about understanding the truth and acting early. Myths delay treatment, weaken discipline and allow silent damage to build up, especially in the kidneys. With the right knowledge, regular check-ups and a balanced lifestyle, most people with diabetes can live long, healthy lives without kidney failure. Breaking these myths today may be the most important step toward protecting your kidneys tomorrow,” says Dr. Suman Sethi.
