Craving for sugar is more so in women as compared to men. This is considered as an ‘evil’ as this has no nutritional benefits, and lead to a lot of health issues on a long term basis. All you women out there need to be aware that all those sodas and sugary drinks you reach out for when you are thirsty increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Intake of whole foods with natural sugar is not all that dangerous as compared to the processed foods available. Besides affecting the heart health in women, sugar can also lead to multiple problems.
- Increases the risk of Obesity:
Consuming sugar is the easiest way to gain weight and you find that obesity is increasing with each passing day, globally. Fructose can increase your desire for food and also hunger more than glucose. This also leads to resistance to leptin, which is a hormone controlling hunger. In short, sugar beverages cannot curb your hunger and lead to excessive gain in weight.
- Sugar is linked to Acne:
Research has proved that a diet that is high in refined carbs and sugary drinks and food is directly connected to acne. The blood sugar is raised with processed sweets due to the high glycemic index. This spikes blood sugar and also the insulin levels and leads to an increase in secretion of oil, androgen and also inflammation.
- Increases the Risk of Heart Disease:
Diets that are high in sugar lead to inflammation, obesity and increase in levels of triglycerides. Besides which, sugar also increases the risk of the arteries getting clogged.
- Increases Risk of Cancer:
Excessive amount of sugar consumed also increases the risk of specific types of cancers. The obesity caused by sugary foods is the primary cause of cancer. The resistance to insulin caused by an excessive intake of sugar only adds to the risk of cancer.
- Leads to Depression:
The occasional cookie gives a burst of energy as this tends to raise the levels of blood sugar fast. When these levels drop due to the absorption by the cells you tend to get anxious and jittery. Studies have linked depression to too much intake of sugar.
- Risk of Aging:
You need to be aware that excess of sugar tends to attach to the proteins in the blood stream and create molecules ‘AGE’s which is harmful. These molecules are responsible for the aging of the skin. They tend to damage the elastin and the collagen and lead to speedy aging.
- Risks of Kidney Damage:
Sugar leads to kidney damage, more so for those suffering from diabetes. The kidney plays a role in filtering the blood. Once the level of blood sugar is high, the kidneys start releasing the excess sugar in the urine. If this is not controlled on time, it leads to damage of the kidneys.
Reducing the intake of sugar is time consuming and requires a lot of effort and patience, but it is important.
