High Carbohydrates Intake and Type 2 Diabetes

Insulin-secreting pancreatic β-cells play a vital role in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and blood glucose homeostasis in the context of insulin resistance. Based on the findings obtained at the whole cell level using poorly specific chemical probes, reactive oxygen species including hydrogen peroxide and superoxide have been proposed to cause the activation of insulin secretion by nutrients (positive role) and the modification of secretory function and cell survival in type 2 diabetes mellitus (negative role). This phenomenon raised the controversial hypothesis that any attempt to reduce the apoptosis in type 2 diabetes and β-cell oxidative stress may further impair insulin secretion. In this chapter, we will highlight the association between high carbohydrate intakes and type 2 diabetes, by analyzing both recent preclinical and clinical studies.