When it comes to added sugar, there is a very thin line between what is good for your body and what is poisonous to your health. Processed sugar and bad health have been directly related. Researchers have established that added sugar has terrible effects on metabolism. It is a leading contributor to all sorts of diseases. The five points below prove, beyond a doubt, why processed sugar and bad health go hand in hand.
1. Processed sugar can damage your liver
Sugar is absorbed in two forms; glucose and fructose. Glucose exists in living things and if the body does not get it, it produces it. The body does not produce fructose. Instead, it is ingested. As a matter of fact, there is no physiological need for this type of sugar. Regardless of that, it is safe when consumed in very small amounts (such as by eating a fruit). The liver converts it into glycogen and stores it (in the liver). However, when consumed in large amounts, it can be very dangerous because the liver will be forced to convert it to fat. The stored fat will result to “fatty liver” which is usually associated with liver-related complications such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
2. Can cause resistance to insulin
Insulin allows absorption of blood sugar and also aids the burning of glucose instead of fat. A high level of processed sugar in the body leads to an increase in the level of glucose. That situation makes insulin to stop functioning as it should. The consequences include the current high rates of type II diabetes and its related complications (such as blindness).
3. Has no essential nutrients
Processed sugar has lots of calories and zero essential nutrients. That means you are not adding any value to your health each time you consume it. That is why it is referred to as “empty calories” and obesity is national health dilemma in this country.
4. It is bad for your teeth
Processed sugar contains a large amount of energy which is easily digestible but responsible for the bad bacteria that is found in the mouth.
5. It is highly addictive
Sugar forces the brain to release a chemical called dopamine. To the body, that is a form of reward. Consistent consumption of processed sugar makes the body to be addicted to it in the same way that a junkie can be addicted to a certain drug. The body will not be able to function normally before you ingest a certain level of processed sugar. Consequently, it will be exposed to all the other risks of processed sugar.
Therefore, if you want to stay healthy all the time, eat fewer sugary foods. It is highly recommended that your source of glucose and fructose should be natural sugar.
