The rise of Diabetes Type II in the developed world is at an all time high. Sugar is found in massive quantities in most processed foods. With our greater wealth, consumption of processed foods increases and with more sedentary lifestyles, one of the consequences if the onset of diabetes.

The use of artificial sweeteners like saccharin, acesulfame, aspartame, neotame, and sucralose may have reduced some of the effects of sugar, their consumption have also led to new issues as you rightly mention in your post.

So what shall we do?

Try to figure out what you consume at a granular level - portions, composition, etc. Consume in smaller quantities. Try to stick to fresh food. Minimise consumption of processed food. Exercise regularly.