Sugar is very tempting
Raise your hand if you have a sweet-tooth! Come one, don’t deny it. Thousands of Americans admit that they love sweets and that they are in some ways, addicted to sugar. I don’t blame you. Sugar is very tempting. It’s an integral part of our day to day meals and it’s the main component of our most indulgent desserts.
There’s one problem though. Sugar can be very bad for the health. If we aren’t mindful of our sugar intake, it can lead to a lot of health problems and complications. Today we’re going to discuss how sugar can be a silent killer.
Where do we get sugar?
First we need to know the basics of what sugar is.
Sugar or sucrose, is a carbohydrate that’s made up of two simpler sugars: fructose and glucose. Sucrose occurs naturally in plants and some fruits. However, processed or refined sugar is also common.
There is also another type of sucrose which is called granulated sugar (high fructose corn syrup). This type of sugar is used to sweetened foods and drinks like cakes, ice cream and soda.
You should also note that certain varying amounts of sugar can be found in other types of food like bread, cereals and juices.
Sugar (foods with sugar) is very easy to consume because it doesn’t make you feel full. But the truth is that it is high in calories and can be very bad for you.
The average person takes in 153 pounds of sugar a year OR ½ cup each day. That seems fine, right?
No. Our bodies aren’t built to process (or digest) huge amounts of sugar. This results into a ton of possible ailments and complications brought about by too much sugar.
Reasons to avoid sugar
Too much sugar is bad for the health and here some reasons why:
- It can cause numerous diseases and allergies such as:
- Arthritis
- Apendicitis
- Diabetes
- Hypoglycemia
- Osteoporosis
- Gallstones
- Kidney Stones
- Headaches
- Yeast infections
- Cataracts
- It promotes wrinkles and premature aging thanks to collagen loss
- Compromises your immune system
- You will feel a lack of energy (crash) after a sudden sugar spike (rush)
- Can cause obesity and other weight problems
- Increases your uric acid levels which causes inflammations leading to strokes, heart attacks
- Can cause a rapid rise in total cholesterol, triglycerides and bad cholesterol levels
- Weakens your eyesight
- Can cause haemorrhoids and varicose veins
- Can induce headaches and migraines
- Promotes cavities, tooth decay and periodontal disease (trust your dentist on this one)
This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are plenty of other reasons on why sugar is bad for you.
How to deal with sugar
“Okay, so what do I do now?”
Don’t worry, there are ways on how to avoid the negative effects of sugar. You can start by watching what you eat. Be mindful of the foods that you eat on a daily basis. Is your diet filled with nutritious food, or are you always munching on junk foods that are rich in sugar?
Try to revise your diet and put in healthier alternatives to sugar. I know that it’s hard to fight your cravings, but instead of grabbing a chocolate bar, why don’t you munch on an apple instead? It’s naturally sweet AND also has lots of nutrients in it too. You can also try sugar substitutes with your food and drinks.
In addition, you should also drink lots of water, get plenty of sleep and exercise regularly. Doing these will help to fight the negative effects of sugar, and will also lead you into a healthier lifestyle.
Sugar is a Silent Killer
Yes, sugar is very tempting and it does make our foods taste very nice, but in the end, the long-term health effects outweigh the short-term indulgence. Sugar is a silent killer and it’s time that you became aware.
So the next time you go out for a huge cup of White Chocolate Mocha or a generous slice of Red Velvet Cake, it’s best to think twice.
