The Hidden Dangers of Refined Sugar - Top 8 Reasons to Avoid it For Good Health!
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These days, it seems like every brand is screaming from the rooftops about how bad refined sugar is. But what they don't tell you is that many of them are still adding various forms of the same refined sugars to their products - you've just never heard of these names before!
Refined sugar goes by so many names in ingredient lists that it's easy to overlook. Whether it's called high fructose corn syrup, evaporated cane juice, or plain old sucrose, it's having the same harmful effects on our health. Here are the top 8 reasons why refined sugar is so dangerous and why you need to give it up for good:
Empty calories
Refined sugar is virtually devoid of nutrients. It provides only calories without any vitamins, minerals, fiber or antioxidants. This makes it very easy to over consume without feeling full.
Blood sugar spikes
Consuming added sugars causes a rapid rise in blood glucose levels. This strains the pancreas and can lead to insulin resistance over time, putting you at risk for obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other chronic illnesses.
Increased inflammation
High sugar diets have been linked to elevated levels of inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation increases your risk for many diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's.
Wreaks havoc on your hormones
Sugar messes with your hormone levels by causing insulin and leptin resistance. This makes your body store more fat and feel hungry more often, setting you up for weight gain.
Associated with fatty liver disease
Too much refined sugars can overwork the liver and lead to a buildup of fat. Over time, this non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may progress to cirrhosis.
Impaired brain function
Refined sugar reduces activity in important parts of the brain and has been shown to impair cognition, concentration and memory - especially in children.
Depletes nutrients
Some research shows that eating lots of added sugars may deplete nutrients like chromium, magnesium and vitamin C from your body due to increased urinary excretion.
Risk factor for depression.
High sugar intake has been linked to a greater risk of depression due to effects on blood sugar stability and brain neurotransmitters like serotonin.
The Bottom Line
The evidence is crystal clear: refined sugar is detrimental to our health. The key to a healthier life lies in making informed dietary choices and being aware of the hidden sugars that lurk in processed foods.
By choosing whole, minimally processed foods and natural sweeteners, we can take control of our health and sidestep the sweet trap that is refined sugar.
