Sure — sugar is sweet and delicious; but the long term, negative side effects really out weigh the momentary bliss.
Here are three reasons to start curbing your sugar addiction:
1. Leads to Neurodegenerative Diseases
When we consume large amounts of glucose, it leads to oxidative stress in the body. This, over time, leads increased risks of Alzheimer disease (AD), Parkinson disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).(1)
2. Decreased Immune Function
Elevated sugar in the blood increase the production of inflammatory proteins like tumor necrosis alpha (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), all of which negatively effect immune function.(2)
Decreased effectiveness of our white blood cells (our bodies immune system) decreased 50% for up to five hours after ingestion of sugar (3).
3. Negatively Effects Sleep
Dr. Michael Breus, aka The Sleep Doctor tells t,”There is evidence that consuming more sugar is linked to more restless, disrupted sleep.”
Sugar increases blood sugar levels which if consumed near bed time, can cause restlessness and poor sleep quality. This becomes a repetitive cycle, because the lack of sleep turns into a craving for more sugar. (4)
4. Onset of Obesity and Diabetes
Consuming a diet high in added sugars, such as those found in sweetened beverages, candy, baked goods, and sugary cereals, is a contributing factor in weight gain and chronic health conditions, including obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. (5)
5. Increased Risk of Tooth Decay
Sugar has a direct connection to tooth decay. After eating foods that contain sugar, these molecules combine with saliva and bacteria present in the mouth. This combination leads to plaque on teeth. Left on teeth, plaque can dissolve enamel, which leads to tooth decay and cavities. (6)
"Your biggest problem isn't the sugar you're adding to your foods, but the sugar the food industry has already added to your foods."
