Eating too much sugar is not good for you – yep. Particularly when it comes to added sugars found in processed foods, sugary beverages as well as hidden sugars in bread, spice mixtures, sauces, protein bars. Plus think corn syrup, agave nectar, palm sugar or sucrose, …
No matter what it’s called, sugar is sugar. In excess it can negatively affect your body in many ways:
- Weight Gain: Sugary foods and drinks are often high in calories, contributing to weight gain and increasing the risk of obesity and related health conditions.
- Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: High sugar intake, especially from sugary beverages, can affect blood sugar levels, insulin response and production (overtaxed pancreas).
- Dental Health Issues: Sugar is a primary contributor to tooth decay and cavities.
- Increased Risk of Heart Disease: High sugar intake can contribute to elevated triglyceride levels, higher blood pressure, and inflammation, all risk factors for heart disease.
- Impact on Mental Health: Excessive sugar consumption may contribute to increased inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain, potentially affecting mood and cognition.
- Skin Issues: High sugar intake has been linked to skin issues such as acne and premature aging as well as damaging collagen and elastin.
- Joint Health: Frequent consumption of sweets can worsen joint pain due to the inflammation they cause in the body. It can increase the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
- Risk of Fatty Liver Disease: Excessive sugar consumption, especially in the form of fructose, has been linked to an increased risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Naturally occurring sugars in whole foods like fruits and vegetables differ from added sugars in processed foods and beverages as the body processes these differently. But sugar is sugar.
‘Sweet Sounds of Heaven’: There are ways to ‘fix’ a sweet tooth, starting with your gut bacteria to having a bitter spray or drops handy for sugary emergencies.
