How does too much sugar consumption impact our health?

Excessive sugar consumption is harmful because it can lead to a myriad of health problems.

Firstly, it contributes to weight gain and obesity as sugary foods and drinks are high in calories but low in essential nutrients, causing to an imbalance in energy intake. High sugar intake also raises the risk of heart disease by promoting inflammation, thickening artery walls, and increasing blood pressure.

Additionally, it negatively impacts dental health by fueling the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth, leading to cavities and gum disease.

Let us look at how too much sugar affects your body.

1. Weight: Eating too much sugar makes you gain weight because it swells your fat cells.

2. Brain and mood: Sugar makes you feel good because it releases a chemical called dopamine in your brain. But if you eat too much, your brain starts to rely on it too much, making you feel moody and even sad. This is  typical symptom of symptoms of too much sugar in the body.

3. Skin: Eating too much sugar can make one’s skin age faster. It damages proteins that keep your skin firm and smooth, making you look older.

4. Teeth: Eating lots of sugar can make your teeth rot. Bacteria in your mouth love sugar, which they use to make acid that eats away at your teeth.

5. Liver: Your liver must work hard to process all the sugar you eat. Too much sugar can make your liver sick, leading to diseases like fatty liver.

6. Heart: Sugar isn’t good for your heart, either. Too much sugar can make your arteries thick and inflamed, leading to heart problems.

7. Kidneys: Sugar can damage your kidneys, too, making it hard for them to clean your blood.

8. Pancreas: Eating too much sugar makes your pancreas work overtime, which can lead to diabetes.

9. Joints: If your joints hurt, sugar might be making it worse. Eating too much sugar can worsen inflammation in your body, which can worsen joint pain.

10. Sexual health: For men, too much sugar can mess with the blood flow needed for erections.

Hidden sources of sugar in our diet:

Certain food items in our diet are loaded with sugar. We must be aware of these food items and identify them.

• Bread: Some sugar is naturally formed during baking, but bread often has added sugar too. 

• Honey and syrups: Honey, maple syrup, molasses, and corn syrup are considered added sugars, even though they contain naturally occurring sugars.

• Processed foods: Soft drinks, candy, and baked goods often contain added sugars like sucrose and high fructose corn syrup.

• Breakfast cereals and bars: Breakfast cereals and bars can contribute 7% of your added sugar intake.

• Condiments: Ketchup, salad dressings, and barbecue sauce often have added sugar for flavor and balance.

It is, therefore, important to be careful about how much sugar we eat. Here are some easy tips to help you eat less sugar:

• Drink water instead of sugary drinks.

• Eat whole fruits instead of sugary snacks.

• Choose natural nut butter instead of sugary spreads.

• Use dates instead of sugar, jaggery, or artificial sweeteners while preparing desserts at home. This will elevate the nutritional value of the food too.

• Check food labels for hidden sugars.

• Cook your meals using fresh ingredients to avoid added sugars.

By eating less sugar, one can keep their body healthy and enjoy life better. Remember, it’s all about balance. To consult a Nutritionist – CLICK HERE.