What Are The Negative Affects Of Sugar On The Body

 

It's doubtful that there won't be at least one individual who refuses to consume sweets. Kids love sugar, but adults often can’t resist it and will find a product that doesn’t contain this contradictory one - but it’s so delicious! - substance, almost impossible.

At one time, the great Faina Ranevskaja sincerely recognized that sugar is one of the products that gives happiness.

"I've noticed that if you don't eat bread, sugar, fatty meats, don't drink beer with fish - your face becomes smaller but sadder."

Scientists, in turn, confirm that its use does stimulate the production of happiness hormones, but this process needs to be revised. Unlike the consequences. Almost everyone knows about the harmfulness of sugar, but few can name its negative "qualities".

And their list is unlikely to be complete. However, a wealth of scientific research suggests that dietary sugar should be reduced as little as possible, otherwise quality and lifespan may deteriorate.

Sugar is an "empty" product

Each product contains even the smallest amount of useful nutrients. But not sugar. They simply do not exist in it. But there are a lot of calories, the "energy" itself, which is stored in the form of fat.

In addition, it is the main enemy of teeth, since it literally feeds the "energy" of microorganisms that live in the mouth. Caries - the problem is sweet!

Sugar can cause diabetes

Insulin is one of the vital hormones in our body.

It is responsible for transporting glucose to the cells, signaling that they need to destroy it without touching the fat.

• Excess glucose is very toxic, causing diabetes and even blindness.

Metabolic dysfunction carries many health problems, but the main one is the "breakdown" of insulin, when cells begin to resist this hormone, leading to metabolic syndrome, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and, of course, type 2 diabetes.

How insulin resistance translates into type 2 diabetes

Becoming resistant, the cells begin to affect the beta cells in the pancreas, producing maximum insulin.

A rise in blood sugar is a precursor to the development of diabetes and other illnesses.

By the way, it has been scientifically proven that more than 80% of people who constantly add sugar to their drinks run the risk of having type 2 diabetes.

Sugar can trigger oncology you know, cancer is the uncontrolled growth and division of cells. And the role of the hormone insulin in that is huge. It is he who regulates this growth, which often becomes the cause of sociopathology.

In addition, sugar also complicates the metabolic process, leading to inflammation in the body, which can cause cancer.

Sugar is a major factor in obesity in children and adults.

As already mentioned, sugar has a direct effect on hormones and also causes the brain to become euphoric, creating dopamine (the hormone of joy). As a result, these factors lead to weight gain.

Often people simply lose control of the amount they eat because sugar greatly reduces the feeling of fullness. The result is obesity in a short time. And that applies to both adults and children.

Many studies on this topic have led scientists to conclude that there is a link between obesity and the amount of sugar consumed.

This statistical relationship is especially pronounced in children who abuse sugary drinks. According to researchers, such children are 60% more likely to suffer from weight loss.

We all want to be healthy, and energetic, and maintain a comfortable weight. As a result, we frequently wonder about the impact of various products on the body. Take, for example, sugar. What are its benefits and harms?

Let’s say right away, this sweet sand is not your enemy, but you should clearly understand which sugar is harmful when there is too much of it in your diet, what is the norm of consumption, and whether there are healthier alternatives.

Let's talk about everything in order.

Is sugar harmful to the body?

For starters, let’s consider what sugar is. That's right, it's a food product. There can be several types, depending on the color (white or brown), as well as the raw materials from which it is obtained. So sugar happens:

• reed;
• cycle;
• maple;
• palm;
• variety (from the stem of a plant variety).

Sugar is a type of carbohydrate, predominantly composed of sucrose. Once ingested, sucrose is rapidly metabolized into glucose and fructose. Glucose, a crucial energy source, is essential for our body’s functioning; the brain alone requires approximately 400 calories of glucose daily.

In addition, this organic compound helps the liver defend itself against various toxins. Sounds great, doesn't it? So, there is no sugar from harm as long as you consume it within reasonable limits. And preferably from natural sources like honey or fruit.

By the way, the norm of sugar intake for adults is only about 30 grams (or six cubes) per day.

But the problem is - if you read the labels of the products you buy in the store carefully, you will find that sugar is literally everywhere, even in the so-called diet food.

Let’s put it another way: long-term observations by scientists from the psychological department at Princeton University have revealed the emergence of true sugar addiction in laboratory rats.

 If you remember how sometimes many of us want sweets, it may have a similar effect on humans.

So in everyday life, it is easy to forget the recommendations of nutritionists and start consuming sugar in large quantities. And that is what can lead.

Damage from excess sugar to the body

1. Sugar causes a rise and fall in glucose

Unstable blood sugar can cause uncontrolled mood swings, fatigue, and headaches. It also stimulates thirst, which causes the appearance of so-called false hunger.

2. Increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity

<Foods that quickly affect blood sugar increase the risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.>

A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute also suggests an association between high glycemic diets and different forms of cancer.

3. Sugar can adversely affect immune function

 Sugar can negatively impact immune function. Research conducted by a group of English scientists has demonstrated that sugar can interfere with the body's ability to combat diseases. Bacteria and yeasts thrive on sugar, so an excess of glucose in the body can foster their growth and lead to infections.

4. A diet high in sugar can lead to chromium deficiency

Chromium is a trace element essential for regulating blood sugar levels. It is present in meat, seafood, and various plant foods. However, many people do not consume sufficient chromium because their diets are high in refined starches.

5. Sugar accelerates aging

Excess sugar can also negatively affect your skin, contributing to wrinkles and loss of firmness. This is because when entering the bloodstream, sugar joins proteins. The mixture of these proteins with sugar leads to loss of skin elasticity and premature aging.

6. Sugar causes tooth decay

Perhaps one of the most well-known negative effects of sugar is that, by settling on the teeth, it can become a more suitable medium for the multiplication of bacteria.

7. Sugar can cause gum disease, which can lead to heart disease.

Increasing evidence indicates that chronic infections, including those stemming from dental issues, contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease.

Most researchers believe this connection arises from the body's inflammatory response to infection. Fortunately, this relationship is reciprocal. Adopting a healthy lifestyle lowers the risk of common diseases, preventing them from becoming chronic.

8. Sugar affects cognitive functions in children

Interesting fact: when public schools in New York reduced the amount of sugar in children's lunches and breakfasts (including due to the cancellation of sugary drinks), their academic rating rose by 15.7% (previously the largest improvement ever recorded was 1.7) %).

9. Excess sugar increases stress

When we are in a state of stress, our body immediately goes into a mode of struggle, releasing a large number of hormones. Surprisingly, the body reacts in exactly the same way when blood sugar levels begin to drop.

Stress hormones begin to compensate for the dip in blood sugar after having a sugary snack. What is the result? Unexplained anxiety, irritability, and even the appearance of tremors.

Need more motivation to reduce your sugar intake? Then read a separate article about what will happen to your body if you give up sugar for a few months (spoiler: only good changes are waiting for you).

Fructose - a healthy alternative to sugar?

Remember, we mentioned at the very beginning that sucrose is made up of glucose and fructose? They talked about glucose, but what is the main “chip” of fructose? It’s sweeter, which means it needs less to enjoy the rich flavor. Fructose weakly stimulates insulin secretion, which is why it is often recommended as the main sweetener for diabetics.

But how much better and what should you know before switching to fructose?

Caloric content

Because total calorie consumption influences body fat and weight growth, it is the first aspect to examine when comparing two meals. Fructose and sugar are both carbohydrates that contain four calories per gram eaten.

Both also lack fiber (which is not partially digested in the body) and generally have no nutritional value. So, with this parameter, there are not many health benefits from both sugar and fructose.

Effect on insulin and blood glucose levels

While overall calorie consumption is critical, it is not the only story. Different nutrients also have different effects on how we feel after eating them, and this can affect how much we eat.

When it comes to maintaining appropriate blood glucose levels, fructose wins the race since it is metabolized by the liver and has no influence on insulin and blood sugar levels. This makes it a better option if you want to avoid the maximum and minimum levels caused by products containing pure glucose.

Sugar, even though it is made up of fructose, will still send glucose directly into the bloodstream, causing an increase in insulin levels while you feel a rapid rise in energy. Unfortunately, this increase in energy is often accompanied by a drop that causes hunger and makes you want supplements.

This in turn can allow you to consume more food throughout the day, increasing your calorie intake. One of the disadvantages of fructose is that it does not have such a strong effect on the hormone leptin, which regulates hunger.

So, if you eat a product with fructose, you probably won’t feel much. On the other hand, you can’t be afraid of a bad blood sugar spike.

Minimize consumption damage

When it comes to choosing a sweetener, that should be preferred, you will come across some trade-offs. Do you want to control your blood sugar? Or trying to get rid of hunger quickly?

Nevertheless, both of these sweeteners supply the body with surplus calories. When these calories aren't utilized, they are stored as fat, increasing the risk of various diseases including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and osteoporosis.

So, it’s worth trying to reduce the consumption of both sweeteners and instead focus on complex carbohydrate sources (vegetables, potatoes, whole grains, and brown rice), as well as the natural sugar found in fruits and honey. It will provide you with a good diet without extra calories.

If you definitely need sweeteners in your diet, try using them during your workout, as they will then deplete your muscles, reducing the negative impact on your body.

The damage of sugar in the human body: the consequences, the norm per day and how to reduce consumption

Is sugar harmful to the body? Very few people are indifferent to sweets. But for most cakes, cakes are a real hormone of happiness, which makes life colorful and vivid.

Alas, not everything is as harmless as it seems at first glance. At the heart of all sweets is sugar - a simple carbohydrate, which is one of the ten most dangerous products for the human body.

If you use its natural analogs, which are found in large quantities in vegetables and fruits, then we will not harm your health. But refined sugar, which is part of your favorite treats, damages your teeth, spoils your figure, and increases your risk of diabetes.

And these are not all the negative properties of this product. In this article, you will learn about the dangers of sugar to the human body.

How sugar affects the human brain

It is very difficult to refuse delicious pastries, ice cream, donuts, and chocolate. The brain gives the signal, the abundant secretion of saliva begins, and the hand itself reaches for these harmful things. Why does this happen and how does sugar affect the human brain?

Sugar is a whole term that describes a class of molecules called carbohydrates. They can be found in many foods and beverages. Glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose - it's also sugar. It's almost everywhere. Therefore, it is important to understand the effect on the brain.

Consuming a product containing sugar can trigger cravings for more. For instance, when you indulge in cereal or a piece of milk chocolate, the taste buds on your tongue are stimulated. 

They send signals to the brain stem, which then relay information to various parts of the forebrain. Among these regions is the cortex, specifically tasked with identifying different flavors, including bitter, salty, spicy, and sweet.

What happens is the following: an incentive system is involved, consisting of chemical and electrical currents. She is the one who directs your “I want more”.

 The next piece of candy or a piece of cake is no longer a conscious decision. If the reward system is overly active, then the loss of control is guaranteed, as Tracy Mann, director of the University of Minnesota's food lab, wrote.

However, chocolate goes further on a journey through the intestines. Logically, a difficult fate awaits her. But sweet receptors are also found in the gut. The brain, for example, sends signals that you are full or need more insulin to digest sugar.

An important role in this process of promotion is played by the neurotransmitter - dopamine. A person cannot get rid of bad habits for years precisely because of increased activity.

 Consumption of alcohol, smoking, drugs, and sugar (with less force) excites this neurotransmitter and therefore they constantly want more.

Normal food is also a cause of dopamine, but its levels remain within normal limits. If you eat foods that are familiar to the body every day and only sometimes indulge in something sweet after the main meal, the brain will not react so sharply to it.