Did you know that that effects of sugar on the body are dangerous? Sugar oftentimes doesn’t fall into the same category or mindset as sodium but can be just as bad or worse. The dangers of sugar on the body can lead to many problems and even be a cause of heart disease. If you are someone that is working on eating healthy – staying away from saturated fat, sodium and sugar is the best way to maintain good heart health and overall body health. Continue reading to learn more about sugar and heart disease and why you should be aware of the effects of sugar on the body.
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Dangers of Sugar
When added sugar, also known as refined sugar, is found in the food you consume your body breaks it down quickly causing a spike in blood sugar. This is because these types of sugar are called simple carbohydrates and they help the body release insulin. The dangers of sugar and insulin are that the more the body releases the larger the risk of becoming obese and developing heart disease or cardiovascular problems.
- High sugar diets can lead to obesity
- High sugar diets can lead to inflammation
- High sugar diets can lead to high triglyceride levels, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure levels
- Other effects of sugar on the body can include atherosclerosis and an increased risk of death from heart disease
Other dangers of sugar can include the development of diabetes and being unaware of how easy it is to consume sugar without realizing.
- One of the main causes of diabetes is obesity and one of the effects of sugar on the body is added weight or obesity
- Another one of the dangers of sugar is that when it is consumed in high amounts it can lead to insulin resistance
Other effects of sugar on the body besides the risk of sugar and heart disease are:
- Increased risk of kidney disease
- Too much sugar can be bad for the mouth causing a negative impact on the teeth
- Higher risk for developing gout
- Decline in cognitive abilities
If you believe that you have too much sugar in your diet, continue reading to find out some tips about how to decrease sugar intake on a daily or weekly basis. It’s important to remember that when it doubt, speaking to a medical professional such as your doctor or a dietitian about your concerns can be beneficial not only for your peace of mind but also overall health.
How to Decrease Sugar Intake
Sugar is addictive, powerful and found in almost everything. Did you know that if you have 4 grams of sugar in what you’re eating that’s around 1 teaspoon, imagine how many grams of sugar you consume a day…
It’s easy to be addicted to sugar and even easier to say yes to sweets when you’re in a social setting or at a celebration. It feels good to eat it and it tastes delicious. Here are a few tips to help you avoid eating sugar or at least decreasing the intake:
- Get rid of, or don’t buy foods that contain a lot of food – especially snacks
- Instead of reaching for a sugary drink, replace it with water and add some fruit to it
- Buy healthy snacks that are prepared and ready to go
- Practice self-discipline, the more you say no, the easier it gets
At the end of the day even though many things that contain sugar are delicious, it can lead to many negative health effects. The body responds to sugar by gaining weight and developing an increased risk of diseases. Keep the intake of sugar to a minimum and follow a balanced diet.
Sources: Henry Ford Live Well – Is sugar bad for your heart?