Sugar is one of the most damaging substances that one can ingest – and what’s terrifying about it is that it’s just so abundant in our everyday diet. This intense addiction to sugar is becoming rampant, not just among adults, but in children as well.
But that’s not all. It’s also hidden in some beloved “treats” that people consume on a daily basis, such as sodas, fruit juices, candies, and ice cream. It also lurks in almost all processed foods, including breads and even in favorite condiments like sauce and ketchup. It’s none other than sugar. Most people view sugary foods as tasty, satisfying, and irresistible treats. But there are three words that can more accurately describe sugar: toxic, addicting, and deadly.
Here are some of the effects that consuming too much sugar has on your health:
- It overloads and damages your liver
- It tricks your body into gaining weight and affects your insulin and leptin signaling.
- It causes metabolic dysfunction.
- It increases your uric acid levels.
- Sugar increases the risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
- Alzheimer’s disease is another deadly illness that can arise from too much sugar consumption.
- Surplus sugar in the body increases fat in the body. This fat is deposited on the organs; for example stomach, thighs, heart, kidneys,liver.
- Excessive consumption of sugar makes us sleepy and also affects the ability to calculate and concentrate.
- Fructose can directly and indirectly stimulate the brain’s “hedonic pathway,”creating habituation and dependence, the same way that ethanol does.
Here are some additional dietary tips to remember:
- Increase your consumption of healthy fats, such as omega-3, saturated, and monounsaturated fats.
- Drink pure, clean water.
- Add fermented foods to your meals.
HOW TO CURB SUGAR CRAVING/SUBSTITUTE FOR SUGAR
An excellent and easily available substitute for sugar is jaggery which does not contain any chemicals. Similarly, honey, molasses, sugarcane juice, dates are also better substitutes for sugar.