Fact – Sugar alone by itself does not cause diabetes.  Sugar is a simple carbohydrate easily broken down into glucose in the digestive tract, absorbed quickly into the bloodstream causing blood sugar (blood glucose) to rise.  All carbohydrates break down into glucose.  Glucose is necessary for normal functioning of the brain and other body tissues. As glucose levels rise, the pancreas secretes the hormone insulin, necessary to remove glucose from the bloodstream and into the cells of the body.