Sugar has been named as a slow killer and for all the right reasons. In the past, people consumed sugar on rare occasions, appreciating it for the treat that it really was. When the low-fat revolution kicked in, more and more sugar was added to various foods, to compensate for the lack of fat. Today, we are eating huge amounts of sugar and we are not even aware of it, due to the hidden sources included in everyday foods. How can sugar affect your overall health? Discover in the paragraphs that follow!
1. Sugar overdose
Sugar is the source of common health problems, such as diabetes, obesity or heart disease. This is because the daily level of sugar intake has increased tremendously in the past few years, due to the hidden sources of sugar. On a normal day, a person ingests between 16 and 22 teaspoons of sugar; the maximum allowed amount is of 6 for women and 9 for men. The sugar overdose is responsible for the appearance of the metabolic syndrome, a potentially fatal condition. Always seek out for the sources of hidden/added sugar, such as salad dressings, cereals, yogurt, frozen meals and dried fruits.
2. Brain gets easily tricked
When you eat increased quantities of sugar, you are ingesting a high quantity of fructose. This will have a negative impact on the hunger hormones, causing a major imbalance whereas their proper functioning is concerned. These are no longer going to send the satiety signal to the brain, hence you will continue to eat sugar. This is often seen in people who are bread eaters; today’s modern bread contains a lot of sugar, causing people to consume more and more every day.
3. Aging
Sugar is not only a cause of chronic disease but it represents one of the primary factors involved in the aging process. When entering the body, sugar is broken down into glucose and fructose; the latter is especially harmful, as it forms oxygen radicals, which cause the cells of the skins to age and die prematurely. The next time you will ask yourself how to get rid of under eye bags and lines, watch out for your daily sugar intake. Keep in mind that tomato sauces contain high amounts of sugar, increasing the risk of premature aging.
4. Oxidative stress
As it was mentioned above, by consuming high quantities of fructose, you will actually speed up the aging process. However, it is important to understand that this oxidative stress occurs not only at the level of the skin but also throughout the entire body. This is the reason why you will present an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The more sugar you will consume, the higher the level of oxidative stress is going to be. Always watch out for foods with added sugar, as these are the most harmful.
5. No immunity
You might not be aware of this for a fact but the excess consumption of sugar can actually have a negative impact on your immune system. It is not exactly certain how sugar wreaks havoc on your immunity but it seems that it is able of creating an imbalance at the level of the entire body; by affecting your overall immunity, it leaves you more exposed to various diseases, including acute and chronic infections.
6. Chromium deficiency
The more sugar you consume, including from carb-based foods, the less chromium you will have in your body. Unfortunately, the main role of chromium is to regulate your blood sugar, so you will be in a vicious cycle. A change in the diet is going to be necessary, to compensate for such deficiencies. Seafood is a good source of chromium, helping you keep your blood sugar levels in check.
7. Stress
When you eat a lot of sugar, your body is stimulated to release more stress hormones. You are practically on the fight-or-flight response, feeling all nervous and agitated. The problem becomes even worse, when you have eaten too much sugar and your blood sugar levels are going to spike, being followed by a compensatory drive. Sugar might give you a quick energy boost but it will leave drained of energy in the following minutes, increasing the amount of stress you are actually experiencing.
These are some of the weird reasons why sugar can affect your health. It is important to understand that the consumption of sugar can cause a genuine addiction, leaving your brain only wanting more and more.
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Author: Daisy Grace
Daisy Grace works as a content coordinator for Global Internet Magazine. She specializes in women’s health and also explores topics related to general health and beauty. Daisy loves studying the latest trends in cosmetics and skin care, but her experience extends further than that. She writes on all aspects of women’s health and beauty skin care and also various product reviews.
