THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF SUGAR ON YOUR HEALTH
Reasons why sugar is bad for your health
You may have repeatedly heard that too much sugar is bad for you. However, we are willing to bet that most of you have no clear idea as to why sugar is so detrimental to your health.
You probably know that overeating sugar can lead to tooth decay, but do you know what other adverse side effects sugar has on your body?
Here we will share 8 reasons why sugar is bad for your health.
1. It Disrupts Your Blood Glucose Levels
Glucose is a simple sugar that is always present in the blood of humans. However, when blood sugar becomes unstable, it can affect the way we feel, for example, it can cause headaches, mood swings, fatigue, and it also leads to cravings.
2. It Increases the Risk of Chronic Disease
There is a link between diets that are high in sugar and an increased risk of many chronic diseases, including:
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Some Types of Cancer
- Obesity
- High Blood Pressure
- Atherosclerosis
The effects of sugar on heart health are concerning, the results from a 15-year study suggest that individuals whose diets contain high amounts of added sugar are more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than those people with small or minimal amounts of added sugar to their foods.
3. It Can Cause Acne
Refined carbohydrates contain high doses of sugar, which, as we mentioned earlier, cause our blood sugar to spike. This causes our bodies to release insulin which can lead to an increase in androgen secretion, oil production, and inflammation, all of which contribute to acne.
4. It Weakens Your Immune System
Bacteria feed on sugar. Therefore, when we have high levels of blood sugar, it provides bacteria with enough food to multiply, which can then lead to infections.
5. It Can Lead to A Chromium Deficiency
Chromium is a trace mineral that helps regulate our blood sugar levels. Meats, vegetables, and seafood all contain chromium. However, because most Americans consume high amounts of refined starches, they don’t get enough chrome.
Therefore, to reduce the risk of chromium or other trace mineral deficiency, the best solution is to minimize the number of carbohydrates consumed.
6. It Accelerates Skin Aging
This is a real shocker for most people. Once sugar enters the bloodstream, it bonds with proteins, which creates compounds known as Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs).
AGEs harm collagen and elastin, which help skin stretch and keep its youthful appearance. When collagen and elastin are damaged, the skin loses its firmness and begins to sag, making us look older.
One study found that women who eat more carbs, including added sugars, had a more wrinkled appearance than women who were on a low carb diet.
7. Sugar Can Increase Cellular Aging
Telomeres are structures found at the end of chromosomes. These structures protect chromosomes from deteriorating.
As we age, telomeres become shorter, which leads to cells aging or malfunctioning.
Unhealthy diets, including those with high amounts of sugar, have been proven to accelerate telomere shortening. In other words, sugar quickens the cellular aging process.
8. Sugar Causes Weight Gain
Many of the processed foods and especially sugary drinks we consume have high amounts of fructose, a type of simple sugar.
Fructose increases hunger and cravings more than glucose does. Moreover, consuming too much fructose could lead to leptin resistance. Leptin is the hormone that regulates appetite and signals when to stop eating.
Consuming too much fructose will make us eat more, which will result in weight gain.
The proven results of the Ideal Protein Protocol offered at our Lean Clinic, show how our clients not only safely lose weight, they improve their overall health.
Ideal Protein can help turn hands of time, making you visibly younger and healthier. Call us today for a free consultation.