Artificial sweeteners may contribute to soaring levels of diabetes, according to a controversial study that suggests the additives could exacerbate the problem they are meant to tackle.
Researchers in Israel found that artificial sweeteners used in diet drinks and other foods can disrupt healthy microbes that live in the gut, leading to higher blood sugar levels – an early sign of diabetes.
But the study has left many experts unconvinced. The findings draw largely on tests of just one sweetener…
Despite being insulin-dependent, Jayesh Shah (54) continues to globe-trot for work. All it needs is a little extra planning, he says. Here, he shares his top tips for travelling safely with diabetes.
• Carry the doctor’s prescription with you
• Inform airport security that you are a diabetic
• When travelling across time zones, adjust your medication and food intake as per the time zone that you are currently in
• Do not skip any meals; over eating is better than fasting, especially during long layovers at airports and missed flights, to avoid possibility of low sugar
• Aisle seats help, especially if you need to use the washroom frequently; if travelling by road try and map out the distance between convenience stops
• Inform the flight attendants / fellow travellers about your diabetes condition if you are travelling alone
• Carry some snacks, candies, etc, in case your sugar drops
• If possible, check out the carbohydrate content and glycaemic index of the local cuisine
• Be careful about alcohol intake as this can cause fluctuations in blood sugar
• Do not feel shy to inform people around you, especially your co-workers, that you have diabetes
• If you are on insulin pump, and your time zone changes, adjust the clock gradually
• Do not skip your exercise routine
Diabetes related supplies are allowed on the plane. One can carry:
• Insulin & insulin pens, alcohol swabs and unlimited numbers of unused syringes
• Blood glucose meters, test strips and lancets
• Liquids (including water, juice, or liquid nutrition); you may face a challenge in explaining this to the security officers, but it is important to do so, especially on long-haul flights.
Carry a doctor’s note describing your condition and the need for carrying liquids.
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