From a young age, we are always told not to eat too much sugar. However, not many of us know the exact reasons why it’s terrible for us.
Candy, chocolate, and other junk foods may taste great, but they are hiding a very nasty secret. If you’re not careful and eating a balanced diet, you could be putting your health at significant risk.
In this article we are going to talk about the exact reasons why you shouldn’t eat a lot of sugar.
Want to learn more? Then keep on reading!
It doesn’t have any nutritional benefits
Sugar is essentially an empty calorie. Aside from foods such as fruits that naturally contain it, adding it to something else has no nutritional value. All it does is make you want to eat more of it, essentially creating an addiction.
It doesn’t contain any vitamins and minerals and can negatively impact other foods’ benefits when it is added to them. So yes, it may be tasty, but it’s not helping out your body in any way.
It contributes to obesity and weight gain
According to recent studies, around 42.4% of the US population is considered obese, increasing by 26% since 2008. While sugar is not the only reason behind this, it is a significant contributor.
This is because of a few different factors, which include:
– It increases your hunger and desire to eat.
– It causes resistance to leptin, which regulates hunger and fullness.
– Sugary drinks don’t satisfy hunger, leading you to consume lots of calories.
If you’re struggling with weight loss, simply cutting it out of your diet can make a huge difference.
It leads to tooth decay
Want to know what one of the biggest causes of tooth decay is? You guessed it, sugar. Once you consume it, the bacteria in your mouth reacts with it releasing acid that damages your teeth.
Some of the main culprits are things such as soda and energy drinks. However, anything that contains large amounts of it can cause lasting damage.
This is why it’s essential to brush your teeth correctly and choose your food wisely.
It can cause acne and breakouts
One downside of eating sugar that you may have heard of already is that it can cause acne breakouts. This is because consuming it can increase oil production and inflammation.
If you can’t live without that sweet kick, try and find a different alternative, such as a monk fruit sweetener. It’s a great substitute to use in baking so that you can still enjoy those delicious treats.
It can accelerate symptoms of aging
Speaking of skin, sugar has also been known to potentially accelerate the symptoms of aging. When levels are elevated, collagen and elastin are affected due to the formation of collagen-damaging AGEs.
This, in turn, results in wrinkles, dark spots, dryness, and an overall rougher texture. Do your skin a favor, and boost it with good foods, like avocado, walnuts, tomatoes, and, if you must, dark natural chocolate.
It prevents muscle building
You might want to have something sweet to boost your energy for your gym session, but sugar can actually do quite the opposite. Since it can cause inflammation, you’re likely to experience joint pain, stiffness, and tension.
Not to mention that you will probably only make it halfway through your workout until you begin to crash. High-protein foods are a much better choice to fuel your muscles and improve your brain function.
It increases your risk of type 2 diabetes
Another severe condition that is the result of consuming too much sugar is type 2 diabetes. This is where the pancreas does not produce enough insulin and requires shots to function correctly.
Some of the different signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:
- Increased thirst and urination.
- Increased hunger
- Unintended weight loss
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
You can find more information about it here.
It has been linked to depression and stress
You should already know that a healthy diet can improve your mood, so it makes sense that a bad one can affect your negatively. Sugar has been known to heighten stress and anxiety, contributing to mental health conditions such as depression.
However, it would help if you didn’t rely on changing your diet alone to fix this. If you are feeling unwell, it’s important that you seek the proper support and speak to your doctor. Depression has many causes and needs to be taken seriously.
It drains your energy in the long run
When you eat sugar, you feel great as it significantly boosts your energy levels. But, this is often short-lived. Since it burns quickly, within half an hour, you’re going to be hungry, exhausted, and looking to eat food again.
If you’re searching for something to keep you going throughout the day, it’s better to choose options such as bananas, fatty fish, sweet potatoes, eggs, or brown rice. They’ll keep you full and energetic.
It can increase your risk of heart disease
Finally, studies have also revealed that a high sugar intake can also increase your risk of heart disease. Obesity, inflammation, and high blood sugar/pressure levels that we talked about above are all symptoms of this.
This is why it’s essential to monitor your intake carefully. According to the AHA, this sits at 100 calories a day (24 grams) for women and 150 calories a day (36 grams) for men. So in many cases, one soda or chocolate chip cookie is actually over the recommended amount.
Final words
As you can see from the above, there are many reasons why overeating sugar is bad for your health. So next time you reach for a sweet snack, try and choose a healthier option such as nuts, chia seeds, or even a piece of fruit.
While it may be hard to cut the cravings at first, it will be worth it in the end. Your body will feel much better because of it.
Good luck!