The Dirty Truth About Sugar

Sugar: the ingredient that makes kids go crazy, and adults taste buds happy. Sugar is found in numerous foods under several names, but the impact on our bodies is still the same. In this article, I’m mostly referring to added sugars, whether that be white sugar, high fructose corn syrup, cane juice, fruit juice, rice syrup, agave nectar, molasses, etc. Brands and companies have gotten smarter about labeling sugar and use terms such as “fruit juice” in products to make them seem healthy, but in reality, it’s still just unnecessary added sugar. Don’t be fooled by juices such as orange and apple juice either; they’re packed full of added sugars with little vitamin and mineral content, you’re better off just eating an orange or apple. Sugar has been linked to numerous health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Sugary drinks such as sodas, juices, and teas are loaded with fructose, a type of added sugar which increases your hunger and desire for more fizzy drinks. Excessive fructose consumption can also cause a resistance to leptin, which is an important hormone that tells your body when to stop eating. In short, sugary beverages make you hungrier and thirstier for sugar, which can lead to weight gain. Cases of diabetes have more than doubled over the past 20 years, and there’s a clear link between excessive sugar consumption and diabetes. Eating a diet rich in sugar over a prolonged period of time leads to insulin resistance which causes blood sugar levels to rise. Insulin resistance, in turn, can lead to type 2 diabetes. High-sugar diets can also lead to inflammation, unstable blood sugar, and high blood pressure. All of these are risk factors for heart disease, which is the number one cause of death worldwide. In a study of over 30,000 people, those who consumed 17-21% of calories from added sugar had a 38% greater risk of dying from heart disease, compared to those consuming only 8% of calories from added sugar (healthline.com). Now that I’ve opened your eyes to the dangers of sugar, I just want to say it’s all about moderation. Having cake or ice-cream every now and then won’t kill you, just make sure it’s a treat and not a daily occurrence. I’ve barely touched the surface on the negative health effects of sugar, but I hope you will utilize this information to make dietary adjustments for your overall health and well-being. Sources: Kubala, J. (2018, June 03). 11 Reasons Why Too Much Sugar Is Bad for You. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/too-much-sugar#section3   Zerbe, L. (2018, May 11). How Sugar Destroys Your Body. Retrieved from https://draxe.com/nutrition/is-sugar-bad-for-you/