How Sugar Affects Our Bodies
Not only does the average person underestimate just how much sugar they consume, many assume that the only affects of sugar on the body are purely weight-related.
Truth is, fat loss and overall weight management are just two of the most commonly discussed reasons to decrease sugar in your diet. But, the key is to understand exactly how sugar, both simple and complex affect the human body from head to toe.
BRAIN - MEMORY:
- Research has found that fructose may actually damage memory and slow learning over time. Sugar can affect the connections of the brain and have detrimental affect on these functions. Omega 3 can help negate the affects but it is best to avoid sugar when possible.
BRAIN - STOMACH - INCREASES APPETITE:
- While it is true that sugar is a little more than just empty calories that have a tendency to add to extra kilos on the scale, research has found that it may also trigger you to eat even more calories! Fructose may increase your appetite by interfering with the body's satiety hormones.
MOUTH - CREATES BREEDING GROUND FOR BACTERIA:
- Even if you brush, floss and rinse your mouth, if you indulge in excessive amounts of sugar, you may be doing some serious damage to your teeth and gums. Sugar increases the acidity levels in your mouth creating a perfect environment for bacteria to wreak havoc on tooth enamel and cause plaque and gingivitis.
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM - INCREASES RISK OF HEART DISEASE:
- Over the years, saturated fats has earned notoriety as a leading cause of heart disease, newer research suggests that sugar can also have a big impact on heart health too. This is due to the affect of sugar on weight, blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
HEART & JOINTS: INCREASES JOINT INFLAMMATION:
- Processed sugars from increased risk of heart disease to muscle and joint pain. Too much processed sugar and other refined carbohydrates have been found to have various negative affects on the body, research shows that sugar can to lead to inflammation in the body which worsens joint and muscle pain.
PANCREAS - INCREASED RISK OF DEVELOPING DIABETES:
- The pancreas produces enzymes and hormones that help us digest food. One of those hormones, insulin, is necessary to regulate glucose levels in the body. Glucose refers to sugars in your body. Every cell in your body needs glucose for energy. Think of insulin as a lock to the cell. Insulin must open the cell to allow it to use glucose for energy. If your pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t make good use of it, glucose builds up in your bloodstream, leaving your cells starved for energy.
ENTIRE BODY - AFFECTS ENERGY LEVELS:
- Simple carbohydrates, like sugar, are often processed very quickly by the body and cause blood sugar to spike and then crash. As the blood sugar crashes, so does the energy levels. On the other hand, complex carbohydrates, like whole grains, are processed slower by the body for stead and longer lasting energy.