SWEET POISON: WHY SUGAR IS RUINING YOUR HEALTH

Sugar, also nicknamed as “white poison” or “sweet poison” is one of the most damaging substances that you can ingest. And the terrifying thing about it is that it is available in abundance in our everyday diet. Most people view sugary foods as tasty, satisfying and irresistible treats. But in actual it can be described as toxic, addicting and deadly.

Here below are some of the ill effects of sugar caused in our body:

1. Excess sugar intake is strongly associated with weight gain/obesity, even in people who exercise regularly.

2. Sugar consumption is linked to cavities. Bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar and then produce enamel- destroying acid.

3. Too much sugar can inflame your liver and is associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

4. Too much sugar starts to create insulin resistance, which causes people to crave more food- especially sugar. This may contribute to diabetes.

5. Excessive sugar and fat consumption reduces performance in parts of the brain that deal with memory and cause memory lossand depression.

6. Sugar heavy, high glycaemic diet can develop insulin resistance which can lead to ageing spotsand excess facialhair growth, acne, blemishes and dark patches behind neck.

7. Consuming too much added sugar can raise blood pressureand increase chronic inflammation, both of which are pathological pathways to heart disease.

Can refined sugars kill me?

Long answer short. Yes, it can! Refined sugars tend to digest rapidly which causes insulin and blood sugar to rise. Your liver then turns these sugars into fat. And as the liver releases sugar into the bloodstream, your blood pressure rises. Other than that, it releases a hormone, dopamine in the brain that can cause an addiction. The high insulin level causes glucose levels to drop, making your body tired and asking for more sugar to keep up the balance.

So when your body keeps asking for more of them and you keep feeding your body more of it, as a result, you will have consumed a lot more calories without realizing it. Rome had not been built in a day and so your body won’t get damaged in a day. It’s a process that leads to several illnesses. Two of the illnesses that are fatal i.e. type 2 diabetes and heart disease are caused by the intake of extra sugar. Treatment at the right time could save you, but why cure over prevention?

So how much sugar is too much sugar?

According to the RDA the daily allowance of sugar for women is 100 calories per day (6 teaspoons) and men are 150 calories per day (9 teaspoons). Sugar consumed in excess to the limits for a considerably long time may cause several ailments.

How can I stop eating lots of sugar?

It’s never too late to turn away from sugar.

You can start by replacing your soft drinks with water. It’s free and has zero calories. You can also opt for tea or coffee or maybe a homemade lemon soda!

Swap your desserts with fresh fruit, dates, or even dark chocolate. Dark chocolate has high cocoa content and less sugar. It serves as a great option if you wish not to get completely rid of sweet things.

Now that you are aware of the ill effects of excess sugar, don’t forget to share this with your family and friends!