Many of us depend on easy-to-prepare processed foods for our regular meals. We depend so heavily on these foods that we don’t realize that these foods contain added sugars. From peanut butter to regular sauces, sugar is the common ingredient. Foods such as candies, cakes, pastries, donuts, pies, ice cream, soda, packaged fruit juices and energy drinks also have a high sugar content. According to an article titled “Perspective: A Historical and Scientific Perspective of Sugar and Its Relation with Obesity and Diabetes” filed with the National Library of Medicine, USA, experts believe that the contributing factor to obesity and other serious conditions such as diabetes is high is sugar intake.
Here are a few reasons why you should watch your sugar intake –
Weight gain
The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide and there is evidence that added sugars are a major cause. Fructose, a form of simple sugar, is abundant in drinks with added sugar, such as soda, juices and sweet tea. Fructose leads to increased hunger and cravings. This can lead to weight gain and increase in visceral fat associated with heart disease and diabetes.
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Acne
Consumption of sugary foods can increase blood sugar and insulin levels in the body, which increase androgen secretion, oil production and inflammation, which are the contributing factors to the development of acne.
Skin aging
Your skin can look more mature and show wrinkles due to poor food choices. Consuming a diet full of refined carbohydrates and sugar leads to the production of compounds that play a key role in skin aging. These compounds also damage collagen and elastin production, making your skin look youthful and flabby.
Dissipates energy
Food items high in sugar but lacking in essential nutrients like protein, fat and fiber can lead to a drop in blood sugar and energy, causing you to crash. According to an article titled Sugar rush or sugar crash? A meta-analysis of carbohydrate effects on mood, sugar consumption may cause low alertness within one hour of ingestion and may increase fatigue within half an hour of ingestion.
Tooth decay
All that snacking that your parents warned you about does have a side effect. The sugar feeds bacteria in the mouth. The bacteria digest the sugar and create acid that can erode tooth enamel, leading to problems such as tooth decay and cavities.
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