The Scary Truth About Sugar And What It Does To Your Body
We all know that too much sugar isn’t good for us, but did you know that it can actually be downright dangerous?
Sugar is one of the most popular ingredients in processed foods and beverages, yet it also happens to be one of the worst for your health.
Though small amounts of sugar are necessary for proper metabolism, too much sugar can lead to a host of health problems, including weight gain, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Here’s a closer look at why sugar is bad for your health.
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Sugar can lead to weight gain.
When you eat or drink foods high in sugar, your body experiences a sugar rush, which causes a spike in blood sugar levels.
In response to this spike, your pancreas releases insulin, which helps to regulate blood sugar levels.
However, when you consume too much sugar, your body becomes resistant to insulin, and over time, this can lead to type 2 diabetes.
But that’s not all. Sugar is high in calories and eating too many sugary foods can lead to weight gain.
In addition, when your body becomes resistant to insulin, it starts to store more fat.
So not only can sugar lead to weight gain, but it can also make it harder to lose weight.
Sugar can lead to heart disease
In addition to weight gain, sugar can also contribute to heart disease.
That’s because sugar raises triglyceride levels in your blood. Triglycerides are a type of fat, and when they build up in your blood, they can clog your arteries and lead to heart disease.
Sugar can also cause high blood pressure and increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, both of which are major risk factors for heart disease.
How to limit your sugar intake
So what can you do to limit your sugar intake?
First, I know this one is obvious, but try to avoid processed foods and sugary drinks as much as possible.
Learn to make substitutions for the sugary foods you love with something that might be similar but a healthier option.
Try to be aware of the sugar content in the foods you eat and opt for foods that are lower in sugar.
You’d be surprised just how many “healthy” options actually contain a lot of hidden sugar.
For a long time what everyone was taught to avoid was fat, so if something was low-fat it was considered healthy, even if it was full of sugar.
Keep in mind that some items labeled “sugar free” are not necessarily healthy either.
There are a number of artificial sweeteners that can cause just as much harm to your body as sugar, but we will get into that more later.
Safe and natural healthy sugar alternatives
There are a number of healthy alternatives to sugar that you can use in place of the white stuff.
You can opt for natural sugars found in food, these tend to digest easier in our bodies and don’t cause as many issues that refined sugar does.
These include honey, molasses, maple syrup, and agave nectar
(Keep in mind that this does not apply to those with diabetes, as their bodies are unable to recognize the difference in glucose between processed sugar and natural sugar)
These sweeteners are all natural and don’t have the same negative effects on your health as sugar does.
In addition, they’re also lower in calories, so they won’t contribute to weight gain.
So next time you’re reaching for the sugar, try one of these healthy alternatives instead:
Stevia
Stevia is a plant-based sweetener that has a number of benefits over sugar.
First, it’s calorie-free, so it won’t contribute to weight gain.
Second, it doesn’t cause spikes in blood sugar levels like sugar does.
And last but not least, it’s actually good for your health. Studies have shown that stevia can help to lower blood pressure and improve insulin sensitivity.
Stevia is actually about 200-300 times sweeter than sugar so you only need a small amount when using it as a substitute.
So if you’re looking for a healthy alternative to sugar, stevia is a great option.
Monkfruit
Monkfruit is another plant-based sweetener that is a great alternative to sugar.
Like stevia, it’s calorie-free and won’t cause spikes in blood sugar levels.
I personally think this is the best tasting sugar substitute and you can measure it 1:1 to white sugar.
So if you’re looking for a healthy alternative to sugar, monkfruit is a great option.
Sugar alcohols
Sugar alcohols are a type of sugar that is found in some processed foods.
They’re called “sugar alcohols” because they have a chemical structure that is similar to both sugar and alcohol.
However, unlike sugar and alcohol, they’re not metabolized by the body in the same way.
Sugar alcohols are absorbed more slowly by the body, so they don’t cause spikes in blood sugar levels.
In addition, they’re also lower in calories than sugar, so they can help you to lose weight.
But while sugar alcohols are a healthier option than sugar, they’re still not as healthy as natural alternatives like honey or stevia.
xylitol
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that is often used as a sugar substitute.
It’s a good alternative to sugar because it doesn’t cause spikes in blood sugar levels.
It’s also lower in calories than sugar and it’s actually good for your teeth.
Xylitol is a natural sweetener that can be found in a variety of fruits and vegetables.
erythritol
Erythritol is another sugar alcohol.
It’s very similar to xylitol in that it doesn’t cause spikes in your blood sugar levels and is lower in calories.
Erythitol is one of the more popular sugar substitutes that’s being used widely in many sugar free products. It is a natural sweetener so if you’re looking for a healthy alternative to sugar, erythitol is another great option.
The worst artificial sweeteners for your health
When it comes to sugar substitutes, there are a lot of options out there. But are they really any better for you than sugar?
Most artificial sweeteners are calorie-free, so they won’t contribute to weight gain.
However, some studies have linked them to other health problems, such as cancer and brain damage.
So while they may be a better option than sugar, they’re not really a better option for your health.
Some of these artificial sweeteners include aspartame, acesulfame and sucralose.
Instead, try using one of the natural alternatives to sugar that I mentioned earlier.
Ready to cut down on sugar?
sugar is one of the worst things that you can put into your body.
It’s a leading cause of weight gain, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and tooth decay.
So if you’re looking to improve your health, it’s important to cut back on sugar.
And when you do need a sweet fix, try using one of the natural alternatives to sugar that I mentioned earlier. They’re all healthier options that won’t damage your health in the long run.
Thanks for reading!
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I know I probably have too much sugar. I try to watch it, but I do love my junk food, I won’t even lie.
Great insights! It’s alarming how sugar affects our health. Time to cut down!
I like Stevia. I haven’t tried some of the other options, although I will say, I stopped having sugar in my coffee. Huge change in mood and body weight with that choice.
I do try to limit how much sugar I eat as I’ve noticed it affects my moods. In the past I’ve used stevia and quite liked it.
My husband is diabetic so I definitely have to watch for that but I also look for alternatives for the rest of us too.
There are so many negative effects of sugar. It doesn’t help that it is hidden in some foods that we eat.
I do try to limit my sugar intake. I use stevia in my coffee.
Thank you for such an informative post! I haven’t had sugar in the past 2 years and I agree with all the info you’ve shared.
Your article offers a clear explanation of the health risks associated with excessive sugar consumption. It’s informative, and the scary truth about sugar’s impact is well-highlighted. Great job!
I am guilty of eating too much sugar. It’s even hidden in foods that you would suspect having it in it. I need to do better and trim back my sugar intake. But it’s so hard.
One thing for sure I try and watch my sugar intake even for the entire family! Too much sugar can really harm the body!
I’m glad you noted some sugarfree items are not good for you. If something is sugar-free it tends to give me a headache. That can’t be good. 🙁
I probably eat too much sugar for my own good but I try to reduce it and swap it out with healthier options
This is why I try to limit my sugar intake. What I do is try to find a healthier option. Thanks for this!
So glad I read this! Now I should reduce my sugar intake. Thank you so much for this.
It’s good to see posts on the impact sugar has on our bodies and health and highlights the healthier sweetener options we have!
That’s amazing! This is one of the most interesting topics! Thank you for sharing this information with me.
This is such a great information. I think we should avoid taking sugar especially when you are getting old.
I appreciate your suggestions on limiting sugar intake and the alternatives you’ve mentioned, such as stevia and monkfruit. This practical advice will help us make better decisions about our sweeteners.
I have been limiting my sugar intake for years now. I feel so amazed. And I started to lose weight. The benefits of not using sugar are amazing.
I have switched to Erithrytol years ago but not always, still don’t use alternatives when I can. Sugar is the new addictive substance and messes our health so much., Thanks for putting this out.