Smoking Increases Risks for People with High Blood Sugar

It's especially important for people with diabetes to monitor their lifestyle, as even habitual unhealthy habits can have a serious impact on their health. Recent studies have shown that nicotine directly increases blood sugar levels, worsening the disease and increasing the risk of complications.

Scientists note that smoking increases glucose levels and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), a measure that reflects average blood sugar levels over the past 1-3 months. People with diabetes who continue to smoke show significantly higher values ​​for this indicator compared to non-smokers.

Study author Xiao-Chuan Liu emphasizes the importance of quitting smoking for people with diabetes. He notes that nicotine is the main component that causes blood sugar increases, and any method of delivering this substance, including smoking substitutes, can also have a negative impact.

Experiments have shown that even with controlled doses of nicotine, people with elevated HbA1c levels experience a significant deterioration in their blood. This confirms a direct link between the substance and impaired carbohydrate metabolism, meaning smoking becomes an additional risk factor for diabetes complications.

High blood sugar leads to a variety of complications, from vascular and nervous system damage to kidney and eye problems. Smoking in diabetes accelerates the development of these pathologies, reduces the effectiveness of treatment, and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Doctors strongly recommend that patients with elevated blood sugar quit smoking completely. Quitting this habit, along with dietary control and regular physical activity, helps stabilize glucose levels, reduce the risk of complications, and improve quality of life.