How High Blood Sugar Damages Your Kidneys: What People with Diabetes Must Know

Sweet tea is deeply woven into Southern culture — but what is it really doing to our health? In this video, I share a true story about a friend who moved to the Southern United States, began drinking sweet tea regularly, started feeling unwell, feared they might have diabetes… and ultimately developed a kidney stone, the first of their life. That experience led me to explore the connection between sweet tea, high sugar intake, blood sugar regulation, diabetes risk, and kidney health, especially in the region often referred to as the “Kidney Stone Belt.” As someone living with LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults), I pay close attention to how everyday food and drink choices affect blood sugar and long-term health. In this video we discuss: • Sweet tea vs unsweetened iced tea • The cultural pressure around sugar in the South • Why sugary drinks strain the pancreas and blood sugar control • How sugar intake may contribute to kidney stones • The rising rates of diabetes in the United States • Why unsweetened tea keeps selling out and why stores should stock more of it • How simple drink choices can significantly impact your health Whether you have diabetes, are at risk, or just want to protect your health, this is an important conversation. If you’ve ever been asked, “Are you sure you don’t want sugar?” — this video is for you. 👍 If you agree that unsweetened drinks should be more available, please give this video a thumbs up and help spread the message. 👋 I’m Linnea May Huxford, author of Success with LADA Diabetes. I share practical, real-world guidance on diabetes, blood sugar management, nutrition, health, and lifestyle. 🔔 Subscribe for more videos about LADA, Type 1 diabetes, blood sugar, nutrition, and living well with chronic illness. 💬 Comment below: Do you see the same thing in stores and airports where you live? Do you prefer Sweet Tea or Unsweetened? Any other connections I'm missing? Have you had a kidney stone? 📤 Share this video with anyone who may not realize how much sugar is hiding in their everyday drinks. Photo Credits: Kidney Belt Image https://uscitrus.com/cdn/shop/articles/kidney_stone.png?v=1535048960 Diabetes Rates Graph CDC https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/diabetes/research/reports/cdc-research-20yr-report.html #Diabetes #KidneyStones #Nutrition #healthyliving FIND MORE FROM LINNEA MAY HUXFORD Connect, link, and share, to help spread the word about diabetes and mental health! BOOK: Success with LADA Diabetes https://amzn.to/49Sgow9 BLOG: https://insulinpumplife.com/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575914762435 X.COM: https://x.com/Lin62866960 BLUEKSY: https://bsky.app/profile/insulinpumplife.com