As we head into warmer weather, trees and flowers are in bloom, and just around the corner are the more relaxed days of summer. Fresh summer fruits and vegetables will be at the peak of flavor and nutrition very soon, and for some of us, summer sugary treats like ice cream, Italian ice, funnel cake, and more will also be on the menu!
But no matter the season, processed sugar is everywhere in our food system. The overconsumption of processed, refined sugar, high-starch vegetables and grains, and processed carbohydrates has been linked to heart and cardiovascular disease, dementia, inflammatory conditions, hormone imbalance, thyroid and adrenal dysfunction, behavioral problems, depression, anxiety, and mood disturbance, cancer, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. And it acts like an addictive drug in our bodies. Are you addicted to sugar? If so, you are at risk for certain health issues and diseases.
Here are just 41 of the known health problems related to sugar.
1. Sugar can suppress the immune system.
2. Sugar can cause hyperactivity, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and crankiness in children.
3. Sugar can produce a significant rise in triglycerides.
4. Sugar contributes to the reduction in defense against bacterial infection (infectious diseases).
5. Sugar causes a loss of tissue elasticity and function, the more sugar you eat the more elasticity and function you loose.
6. Sugar can increase fasting levels of glucose.
7. Sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium.
8. Sugar can produce an acidic digestive tract.
9. Sugar can cause premature aging.
10. Sugar can lead to alcoholism.
11. Sugar can cause tooth decay and periodontal disease.
12. Sugar contributes to obesity
13. Sugar greatly assists the uncontrolled growth of Candida Albicans (yeast infections).
14. Sugar can cause gallstones.
15. Sugar can cause heart disease.
16. Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.
17. Sugar can cause a decrease in insulin sensitivity.
18. Sugar can increase cholesterol.
19. Sugar can increase the systolic blood pressure.
20. Sugar can cause drowsiness and decreased activity in children.
21. Sugar can interfere with the absorption of protein.
22. Sugar can contribute to diabetes.
23. Sugar can cause toxemia during pregnancy.
24. Sugar can promote an elevation of low density lipoproteins (LDL).
25. Sugar can increase the body's fluid retention.
26. Sugar is enemy #1 of the bowel movement.
27. Sugar can cause headaches, including migraine.
28. Sugar can adversely affect school children's grades and cause learning disorders.
29. Sugar can cause depression.
30. Sugar can increase your risk of getting gout.
31. High refined sugar diet reduces learning capacity.
32. Sugar can cause hormonal imbalance; some hormones become underactive and others become overactive.
33. Sugar can lead to the formation of kidney stones.
34. Diets high in sugar can cause free radicals and oxidative stress.
35. Sugar feeds cancer.
36. Sugar is an addictive substance.
37. Sugar can be intoxicating, similar to alcohol.
38. Sugar can exacerbate PMS.
39. Decrease in sugar intake can increase emotional stability.
40. The body changes sugar into 2 to 5 times more fat in the bloodstream than it does starch.
41. The rapid absorption of sugar promotes excessive food intake in obese subjects.
You can enjoy all that summer offers with a bit of nutrition awareness related to sugar. Try to eat real fruit and vegetables with natural sugar contained in a perfect package with fiber, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, antioxidants, water, and sweetness, and avoid processed foods that contain added sugar.
If you need help managing sugar, please comment and let me know. Like my Facebook page Health Coach Mary Ellen, or get in touch by email coachmaryellen@outlook.com.