Dietary habits linked to type 2 diabetes in Taiwan family

A family of three in Taiwan has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes despite having no history of consuming sweets or sugary drinks. The family members presented with symptoms including fatigue, blurred vision, excessive thirst, and rapid weight loss. Blood tests revealed fasting blood glucose levels between 400 and 500 mg/dL, which is four to five times the safe threshold.

Family physician Yang Zhiwen noted that while diabetes can be hereditary, this specific case was driven by dietary habits rather than genetics. An investigation into their daily food intake revealed that the primary cause was a diet heavily reliant on pure carbohydrates. The family frequently consumed fried rice, fried noodles, and vermicelli without sufficient intake of fiber from vegetables or protein from meat and fish.