Thanks, but it's not hyperbole. Vegetable starch is, as noted, only a chain of glucose molecules. It takes 1 chemical step to turn into glucose - breaking the bonds. The only thing faster is pure glucose or maltodextrin. Sucrose is a disaccharide consisting of glucose+fructose. It takes a two-step process. The glucose is absorbed, but fructose takes a much longer pathway through the liver.

There's a dietary concept called 'glycemic index' which ranks foods on how fast they are absorbed into your blood stream. It's moderated by fat, protein, and fiber content in meals, but still it's worth looking at the basic food items. I had a hard time finding good charts that listed not only prepared foods but included sugar and starches, but check out this chart for example, or this one. Observe how on both lists, sucrose is in the upper middle, 60ish, while potatoes, corn, rice and wheat are among the highest around 100, second only to glucose and maltodextrin.

Whole potatoes have some vitamins and fiber. Brown sugar has some, processed sugar has none. Peeled potatoes have little more nutrition than white sugar, and the same or worse effect on insulin response, which is the key of type 2 diabetes. Mainly what I was pointing out is that something like mashed potatoes is the same as sugar, maybe worse, and that "type 2 diabetes happens from too much sugar" might as well be "type 2 diabetes happens from too much french fries" but the real issue is total carbohydrate intake. In practice, Type 2 issues combine with lifestyle, as in if you're a marathon runner or body builder, eat as many carbs as you want. If not, watch all carbs.

Yes, excessive sugar intake can potentially increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Consuming a diet high in sugar, especially sugary beverages, can lead to obesity, which is a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes. However, it's important to note that the direct relationship between sugar intake and diabetes is complex and influenced by many other factors, including physical activity, age, overall diet quality, and genetic predisposition.

Keep in mind that while a meme might make this subject seem simple or humorous, it is a complex health issue. Using a balanced diet with limited sugar intake along with regular physical activity is a good strategy for reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. For personalized advice or if you have specific concerns, please consult with a healthcare professional.

It can, but excessive sugar intake cannot directly cause diabetes is all. It's much more complex than that.