Excessive sugar consumption has become one of the most widely discussed topics in the health and wellness industry these days. The growing amount of studies concerning the adverse effects that excessive sugar consumption has on the human body has proven it to be the culprit behind many of the health issues we experience today. In this post, I will share with you 7 reasons to quit sugar.
No Nutritional Value
One reason to avoid sugar is that it contains no nutritional value, meaning it does not provide any of the vitamins, minerals, or antioxidants needed by the body to perform at its best. An abundance of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants are found in whole foods (unprocessed foods) and are the essential building blocks for optimal health. They support all the internal processes in the body, protect against illnesses, and allow the body to perform at its peak.
Consuming excessive amounts of refined sugar can strip the body of essential minerals such as potassium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium which can lead to nutrient deficiencies. Nutrient deficiencies can cause you to feel sluggish, affect how you perform, and lead to serious health problems.
Disrupts Energy Levels
Sugar enters the bloodstream quickly and causes a rapid surge in energy levels, followed by a rapid crash. Ever wonder why you feel sleepy and tired, even after getting a good night’s rest? Sugar has been shown to decrease the activity of the orexin cells which are responsible for keeping us alert, energized, and moving. Reduced activity of these cells makes it difficult to concentrate for long periods of time, causes you to become unproductive, and makes you feel sluggish. Quit sugar to increase your energy levels.
Weight Gain
Unlike proteins and fats which take longer to digest and have a satiating affect on the body, sugar passes through the digestive system very quickly which leaves you feeling hungry and unsatisfied. As a result, you crave more food after filling up on refined sugar and you are very likely to overeat which ultimately impacts the ability to lose weight.
Foods with a high sugar content and a high glycemic level cause the body to produce an enzyme called lipoprotein lipase. This enzyme promotes the storage of fat cells in the body which increases the risk of obesity.
Liver Damage
Most of the refined sugar found in foods come in the form of fructose. Consuming too much fructose overloads the liver and causes it to turn fructose into fat. This then leads to fatty liver disease and many other issues of the liver which have a negative impact on energy levels, digestion, and overall health.
Excessive Inflammation
Numerous studies have shown that consuming large amounts of refined sugar can cause excessive inflammation in the body. Not only is this excessive inflammation painful but it damages body cells, vital organs, and can cause permanent health problems. Excessive inflammation in the body has been linked to accelerated internal and external aging. Plus, it is also one of the biggest risk factors for chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease which is all the more reason to quit sugar.
Elevated Cholesterol
Foods with a high glycemic index are known to lower the level of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) in the body which is responsible for removing LDL (bad cholesterol) from the arteries. High glycemic index foods also increase the level of triglycerides, or blood fats in the body. Increased levels of LDL and triglycerides clog arteries and blood vessels which increase the risk for coronary diseases.
Brain Functioning
One of the most detrimental side effects of consuming excess sugar is a decline in higher brain functions, such as memory and receptiveness. A study conducted by UCLA suggests that a high-fructose diet can have a negative impact on learning and memory.
High levels of blood sugar can cause insulin resistance, which delays communication between brain cells and leads to slower brain activity. If you’re having issues like forgetting where you put your keys, what you walked into a room to do, or if you turned the oven off; reconsider your diet.
Final Word
There are several more reasons to quit sugar. Now that you know more about the negative effects of overconsuming refined sugars, are you considering giving it up?
Let’s face it, it may seem difficult to reduce your sugar intake but trust me, your body will thank you for it in the long run. When you begin to see and feel the benefits of quitting sugar has on both your mental and physical health, you won’t miss it.
You can do this. Focus on the positive effects of reducing your sugar intake, stay committed, and indulge yourself with a sweet treat every once in a while within reason.
So, tell me are you ready? Or do you have more questions? Let me know in the comments. I am happy to help.
Want to learn how to detox naturally every day? Check out my blog post How I Detox Naturally Every Day.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4975866/
http://2. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-fruit-good-or-bad-for-your-health#section2
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5643203/