Did you know that the average American consumes more than 100 lbs of sucrose and 40 lbs of corn syrup each year? Health organizations and the U.S. government have recommended that no more than 10% of the caloric intake should come from refined sugars that are added to foods, yet added sugar accounts for about 30% of the total calories consumed by Americans.
Many studies have been done on the effects of sugar consumption, especially the intake of sugar-sweetened beverages. Studies have found that as a person increases the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages they drink, they increase the amount of weight they gain and also put themselves at a greater risk of obesity. These findings relate to both children and adults. But these are only some of the effects of sugar.
Another effect of eating processed sugar is tooth decay. You may recall your dentist lecturing you about flossing. The reason is that the plaque found on the teeth contains bacteria that thrive on sugar. When the bacteria consume sugar they produce acid that eats away at the enamel on our teeth. Sugar intake can also lead to diabetes. If there is too much sugar, the blood cells sensitivity to insulin depletes and as a result the blood cells cannot use glucose efficiently. This is also known as Type 2 diabetes.
If you are not already convinced that you should cut down your sugar intake then here are some other negative effects of sugar:
Nearsightedness
Headaches
Depression
Sugar can make PMS symptoms worse
Leads to the formation of kidney stones
Sugar can contribute to irritable bowel syndrome
Sugar can cause hormonal imbalance
Increases risk of colon cancer in women
Leads to loss of calcium that can lead to osteoporosis
Increases the risk of gastric cancer
Increases the risk of getting gout
High sugar diet can lead to biliary tract cancer
Sugar can be a risk factor of gallbladder cancer
Dietary sugars, especially diets high in simple carbohydrates, increase the risk of colon cancer
Sugar can worsen symptoms of children with attention deficit disorder (ADD)
Instead of using sugar, use raw organic honey such as Canadian Raw Honey. You can use other organic sweeteners such as cinnamon and anise. But why not use other sweeteners such as stevia, Splenda and sweet n low? These sweeteners claim to have ingredients that are not harmful but the fact is that there is not enough research to verify that these sweeteners are safe for consumption. The next time a sugar craving arises, reach for an apple or some berries. Avoid eating fast food and drinking sugary beverages.
References:
Textbook of Natural Medicine Third Edition Volume 2 by Joseph E Pizzorno Jr. and Michael T. Murray
“Intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain: a systemic review” http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/84/2/274.full.pdf+html
“Pros and Cons of Sugar in Your Diet” http://www.advancedphysicalmedicine.org/blog/2010/09/21/182pros-and-cons-of-sugar-in-your-diet/
“62 More Reasons Why Sugar is Ruining Your Health” by Nancy Appleton
“Lab Tests Point to Problems with Trendy New Stevia Sweetener" http://cspinet.org/new/200808281.html