Diabetes is a condition that affects how our bodies use sugar for energy. While many people know that things like family history, diet, and exercise play a role in diabetes risk, there’s another piece of the puzzle that’s often overlooked: the chemicals in our environment.
What Are Environmental Pollutants?
Environmental pollutants are harmful chemicals that sneak into our bodies through the air we breathe, the food we eat, and even the products we use every day. examples include:
- Smoke from cars and factories
- “Forever chemicals” that build up in our bodies over time
- Heavy metals like arsenic and mercury found in some water and food
- Plastic additives like BPA that can leach into our food and drinks
How Do These Chemicals Affect Diabetes?
Imagine the body as a busy city, with insulin acting like traffic police, helping sugar move from the blood into cells. Some pollutants can confuse or block these “traffic police”, making it harder for sugar to get where it needs to go. This can lead to high blood sugar levels, which are a key driver of diabetes.
Scientists have found that people who are exposed to more air pollution or who have higher levels of certain chemicals in their blood are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. These chemicals can:
- Make it harder for the body to use insulin (called insulin resistance)7,8.
- Cause inflammation, which is like a slow-burning fire in the body that can damage important cells.
- Harm the cells in the pancreas that make insulin, making it harder for the body to control blood sugar.
What Increases Your Risk of Exposure?
Everyone is exposed to some level of environmental pollutants, but certain habits and products can increase your risk:
- Eating highly processed foods (especially those packaged in plastic-lined containers)
- Microwaving food or drinks in plastic containers
- Not washing fruits and vegetables to remove pesticide residues
- Using household products with added fragrances or phthalates
Why Does This Matter?
Environmental pollutants are an important and often overlooked health risk. While it’s impossible to avoid all pollutants, staying informed and making small changes in your daily life can help protect you and your loved ones. Every little step counts when it comes to your health!
This article was developed in partnership with Diabetes Action Canada as part of the Canadian National Graduate Course in Islet Biology and Diabetes hosted by the University Toronto (BCH2140).
About the author
Bailey Laforest
Bailey is a PhD student at Carleton University in Ottawa studying how exposure to environmental pollutants affects islet development. Bailey's research aims to uncover how these pollutants may influence diabetes risk and overall beta cell health.
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