Why Fruity-Smelling Breath May Be an Early Warning Sign of Diabetes

Diabetes happens when your body is not able to either produce insulin or use it properly. Both types result in too much glucose, or sugar, in the blood. Diabetes is a chronic, progressive illness, and

so it is important to understand how to recognise a few hidden or surprising signs, which are key to maintaining a healthy blood sugar level. However, early diabetes symptoms are not the same for everyone, as some develop tell-tale signs, like a fruity-smelling breath all the time. Often described as smelling like acetone, nail polish remover, or sweet fruit, it can be one of the early warning signs of diabetes as it indicates that the body has switched to burning fat for fuel instead of glucose.

Why is a fruity smell a sign of diabetes?

According to doctors, the fruity smell is among the first signs of undiagnosed diabetes – especially a serious condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA, which is a severe and potentially life-threatening complication. Fruity-smelling breath is often linked to the presence of ketones in your body. Ketones are chemicals produced when the body starts breaking down fat for energy instead of glucose. Doctors say it usually happens when insulin levels are too low to help glucose enter the cells. Acetone gets released through the lungs when you exhale. It happens when your body cannot use glucose for energy due to low insulin. It then starts to burn fat, creating ketones, which are the acidic byproducts. According to doctors, this buildup of ketones is a medical emergency, so this odour is a critical warning sign to seek immediate care.

What should you do?

The fruity smell, along with other symptoms like extreme thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, or confusion, means you need urgent medical attention for DKA. While a keto diet can also cause fruity breath, in someone with diabetes, it is a serious sign of the body entering a dangerous metabolic state. Immediately check your sugar levels to know what is to be done next. Managing blood sugar levels can help prevent complications that would cause bad breath. Other tips include regular brushing and flossing, drinking plenty of water, and following a varied diet that is packed with fruits and vegetables and low in added sugar.Also read: New Coffee Compounds May Help Control Blood Sugar in Type 2 Diabetes, Study Finds

Other signs that you have high ketones

When ketones rise to unsafe levels, your chances of diabetic ketoacidosis increase. A few symptoms may include:

• A sweet and fruity odor on your breath
• More frequent urination than typical
• Abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting
• High blood glucose levels
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Confusion

Why does it go unnoticed?

One reason this symptom is frequently missed is that people may not recognize the smell themselves. Others assume it’s due to diet changes, fasting, dehydration, or dental problems. In reality, fruity-smelling breath can appear before diabetes is formally diagnosed, making it an early but overlooked warning sign. Healthcare professionals stress that any persistent and unusual breath odour—especially when paired with fatigue or increased thirst—deserves medical attention.