10 SIDE EFFECTS OF SUGAR
The average person consumes over 150 pounds of sugar every year.
Sugar comes from candy, soda and desserts as well as the less obvious so called “healthy” shakes and drinks, condiments and packaged and prepared foods. Even the overlooked fruits and fruit juice can be overlooked! We know that sugar is bad for your health, but you might not realize all the things it actually does to you!
1. BAD TEETH
Sugar rots your teeth by feeding the cavity causing bacteria that live on the teeth.
2. LIVER DAMAGE
Sugar is often added to foods in the form of fructose, which is difficult for the body to metabolize and loads the liver with glucose. The liver can only hold so much glycogen, the rest must be converted to fat. Not only does this add body fat, but it also creates a lot of burden on the liver.
3. DIABETES
Eating sugar causes the raise in blood sugar levels, which causes the pancreas to create insulin to bring levels down. This is a lot of work for the pancreas if it is happening often and over time can result in insulin resistance, where the insulin no longer brings down the blood sugar levels. This is the cause of Type 2 Diabetes as well as other diseases.
4. CANCER
Sugar creates a chain reaction of insulin production, which then feeds the growth of unhealthy cells leading to cancer.
5. CHRONIC DISEASE
Sugar causes inflammation in the body, which is a precursor for cancer, heart disease and other diseases.
6. OBESITY
Sugar causes increased body fat, even if you eat fewer calories in general. This is due to the overload of glycogen stores in the liver.
7. ADDICTION
Sugar is as just as addictive as abusive drugs because it causes dopamine to be released in the brain.
8. RAISED CHOLESTEROL
Sugar increases heart cholesterol levels by raising triglycerides.
9. MOODINESS AND DEPRESSION
Sugar causes major mood swings. Excessive sugar causes the release of cytokines that enter the brain and produce an inflammation response.
10. WRINKLES AND SAGGING SKIN
Sugar cause wrinkles and the breakdown of collagen and elastin in the skin by attaching to proteins in a process called glycation. It also results in the deactivation of antioxidants that are supposed to protect against this damage, rendering your skin highly vulnerable to free radical and UV damage. Eat lots of veggies and proteins but little sugar and processed foods for radiant healthy skin!
Ready to go sugar free?
Take the Six Week Slim Down here!
A guided e-course or e-book that helps you make the transition!