Sugar is incredibly addicting and is used in far too many of our recipes. What many people don’t realize is that while sugar is one of the most widely consumed substances on the planet, it is also one of the most hazardous to human health.
Sugar is called “the white death” for a reason. It causes diseases that are hard to treat, including diabetes, weight gain, depression, inflammation, and heart disease. According to one study, drinking two sugary drinks per day increases the chance of death by cancer and cardiovascular disease.
In this blog post, we will carefully examine how this simple carbohydrate is ruining your health. Here are the most common diseases caused by sugar and what they entail:
Obesity and Diabetes
You already know that consuming too much sugar will make you gain weight. When you ingest it, your brain may be tricked into thinking that you are still hungry. According to some studies, sweet beverages and meals make it more difficult for the body to manage calorie intake, raising the risk factors and chance of acquiring lifestyle-related diseases.
For instance, sugar intake has repeatedly been linked to an increased risk of developing diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic disease that cannot be cured; it can only be managed and controlled. Large amounts of this simple carbohydrate may alter insulin resistance and increase the risk of diabetes.
Acne
One of the possible side effects of sucrose intake is faster skin aging. Excess sugar causes the glycation of proteins in the circulation, resulting in the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Studies show that these molecules may harm the skin’s collagen and elastin. Protein fibers like collagen and elastin are responsible for the skin’s youthful suppleness. This damage might result in wrinkles and acne. Everyone hates acne; therefore, cutting down on sugar is necessary if you want to have healthy skin.
Heart Disease
Because it is correlated with obesity, inflammation, high triglyceride levels, and high blood pressure levels, a high-sugar diet has been associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Consuming excessive sucrose may affect the arteries throughout the body due to increased insulin production. Artery walls will grow inflamed, thicker, and more rigid, placing more pressure on the heart and raising the risk of heart disease. As a result, you are at risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
According to research, lowering sucrose consumption may also help decrease blood pressure, a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Compared to a larger percentage of added sugar in the diet (more than 25%), a lower percentage of added sugar (less than 10%) is related to a lower risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease. This is because there is a link between excessive sucrose consumption and an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease.
Depression
Researchers discovered a link between a processed food diet and an increased prevalence of depression in both men and women. Too many sweet drinks might make one irritable and unproductive. This is because eating a few sweets occasionally may give you a momentary burst of energy (a “sugar high”) by rapidly boosting your blood sugar levels. But you will most likely experience the dreaded “sugar crash,” which results in jitteriness and uneasiness when the sugar is absorbed by your cells.
Sugar Addiction
When you consume sucrose, your brain reacts by producing more dopamine. Because healthful foods, such as fruits and vegetables, do not trigger the brain to produce as much dopamine, the brain’s desire for sugar to acquire the same pleasure experience grows with time. This makes logical sense because dopamine is a neurotransmitter that provides a pleasure signal. As a result, you’ll find it exceedingly difficult to manage your “gotta-have-it” ice cream cravings after dinner.
That’s why, at about 3 p.m., it’s more typical to want something sweet than something savory. Unfortunately, sugar addiction may be as severe as opiate or alcohol addiction. Some research argues that it is as dangerous as, if not more dangerous than, cocaine addiction. Sugar withdrawal, due to its addictive nature, may cause several unpleasant symptoms, such as insomnia, bloating, headaches, anxiety, and nausea. One of the cognitive difficulties that may emerge from consuming more sucrose than is appropriate is the inability to recall things or concentrate on one activity.
Teeth Damage
“Candies have the potential to cause tooth decay.” When you were a child, you probably didn’t want to come home after trick-or-treating to hear anything like this. Your parents, on the other hand, were correct; cavity-causing bacteria feed on the sugar that remains on your tongue after eating anything sweet. Sucrose consumption is an easy way to suffer tooth damage.
Pancreas Damage
In response to meal consumption, the pancreas secretes insulin into the bloodstream. However, if you consume too much sucrose and your body stops reacting adequately to insulin, your pancreas will begin producing substantially more insulin than normal. Eventually, the stress causes your pancreas to fail, resulting in excessive blood sugar, which may lead to major health concerns such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Also read: 4 Sugar Effects: The Sweet Truth about the impact of added sugars
Here’s What You Can Do
Even though refined sugar is addictive, there are some steps you can take to decrease its consumption or avoid consuming it altogether. Among the most effective methods are:
Healthier alternatives.
Honey, agave, maple syrup, and dates are the best substitutes.
Physical activity.
The more you move, the less sucrose you will crave. Find someone who will hold you accountable, such as a family member or friend. Walk more in the park alone or with your dog. If you don’t have one, consider getting a furry companion. As per Nuwber, dog owners are more active than cat owners because they have to spend more time outside with their pups.
Nutrient-Dense Foods.
If you are craving something sweet, it’s probably because your body receives fewer nutritional elements. Try to eat more fruit and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seafood, and limit processed meat, fast food, and alcohol in your diet.
Conclusion
There is no longer any doubt that sugar is damaging to one’s health; consequently, it is better to avoid overindulging in it by exercising self-control and cutting down on excessive consumption. To live your best life, avoid processed and high-sugar meals and instead concentrate on eating more fruits and other nutrients your body needs to function properly.
Refined sugar is not as innocent as it may seem, and many studies have proved it.
Hi, I’m the Founder and Developer of Paramedics World, a blog truly devoted to Paramedics. I am a Medical Lab Tech, a Web Developer and Bibliophiliac. My greatest hobby is to teach and motivate other peoples to do whatever they wanna do in life.