Disturbing Facts about refined sugar
Only very few temptations in this world are easy to resist. Refined sugar isn’t one of them. Experts have argued over classifying this substance as one of the most addictive to exist. While it may be difficult to turn away from sugar, it’s not as difficult to imagine why. It’s accessible, comes in various forms, and makes you feel good. Today, let’s delve into sugar’s not-so-sweet effect of wreaking havoc on your body with these 6 troubling facts:
1. Some experts argue that it’s as addictive as cocaine.
Research scientists published a startling review in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in 2018. According to the authors, sugar could potentially act as a gateway drug. They even compared it to having the same addictive qualities as cocaine. Some experts didn’t agree with the findings. However, they did confirm that sugar consumption can be a destructive habit.
2. Increased refined sugar intake interferes with your immune system.
Gastroenterologist Dr. Niket Sonpal spoke to HuffPost about sugar’s effect on the immune system. He says that it can negatively interfere with white blood cell activity. In turn, this affects our immune response against bacteria. A high-sugar diet also leads to nutrient deficiencies that can increase your risk of contracting infections.
3. Excess sugar increases your risk of dying with heart disease.
Avoid sugar if you don’t want to die with heart disease. Excess sugar increases this risk by over twice as much. According to an article on Harvard Health Publishing, this might be due to two factors. First, excess sugar stimulates your liver to produce harmful fat that reaches the bloodstream. Second, added sugar in beverages raises your blood pressure.
4. It even accelerates premature aging.
Elevated levels of refined sugar lead to glycation. It’s a natural process where sugar attaches to the amino acids of the skin’s tissues. Glycation produces harmful free radicals that damage the tissues around them. The free radicals break down collagen and elastin that keeps the skin supple. So if you’re packing on the anti-aging cream, it’s best not to pack on the sugar.
5. Heavily processed food and refined sugar go hand-in-hand.
Ultra-processed food contains high amounts of refined sugar. These are defined as food with chemical additives that aren’t found in home cooking. Refined sugar usually comes in the form of high fructose corn syrup. It is added sugar in confectionery, biscuits, boxed cereals, and the like. And the sneaky thing about this is that it can be found in savory food too. Dressings, sauces, sausages, and the like.
6. Refined sugar shortens your lifespan.
You might be cutting your life short with too much sugar. Numerous studies found a link between refined sugar and many chronic diseases. In excess, sugar can lead to obesity, heart disease, diabetes, amongst others. These chronic medical conditions have a troubling impact on life expectancy.
Make a wise decision to exclude refined sugar from your diet.
It’s a conscious choice that will benefit you in the long run. Get your sweet fix from fresh fruits instead! Find out more about what damages and enhances your immune system on BoostYourImmuneSystem.org.
