Among the top drinks a person with diabetes should avoid, a common denominator exists: sugar. Soda and sweet tea might seem like obvious culprits, but other drinks can pack a sugary punch as well. A single serving of many sugary drinks can contain the same amount of sugar as a plate of food. So, someone with diabetes could get 45 to 60 grams of sugar from just one drink. However, it’s important to note that individual responses to sugar intake can vary among those with diabetes.
Smoking is the fastest way to feel the effects of marijuana, which is derived from the Cannabis sativa plant. Yet, marijuana smoke contains many of the same toxins, irritants, and carcinogens found in cigarette smoke — a known contributor to heart disease as well as cancer. Marijuana cultivation and use dates back some 6000 years. It’s worth considering, though, that the impact of marijuana on heart health may not be the same for everyone, and more research is needed in this area.
Marijuana’s main psychoactive chemical, THC, causes its effect by attaching to receptors in brain regions vital for memory formation, including the hippocampus, amygdala, and cerebral cortex. The extent to which long-term use of marijuana (either for medical or recreational purposes) produces persistent cognitive impairment is still under investigation, suggesting that conclusions regarding its effects on memory should be approached with caution.
The CDC has reported almost 3,000 cases of hospitalization for lung injuries during vaping, including 68 deaths, especially after the use of products that contain THC. However, it’s important to consider that these cases might not represent the experiences of all cannabis users, and factors like the presence of other substances in these products could play a significant role.
A new study published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research found that women who heavily used cannabis had a lower incidence of diabetes. This finding suggests a potential link between cannabis use and diabetes risk, but it’s important to acknowledge that this is an area of ongoing research, and definitive conclusions have not yet been reached.
For more in-depth information, please refer to the following sources:
Worst Drinks for Diabetes,
Marijuana and Heart Health,
Marijuana and Heart Disease,
Marijuana Use and Addiction, and
Effects of Marijuana on Memory.