Healthy Food Tips: The Harmful Side Effects of Sugar

World Wide Web | Healthy Food Tips: The Harmful Side Effects of Sugar | Research shows that American people eat their weight in sugar each year. More than half of them consume 180 pounds of sugar per year. Sugar is a major contributor to all forms of degenerative diseases, from cancer and diabetes to arthritis and multiple sclerosis. This ingredient can be found into fruit juices, soft drinks, sports drinks, dairy products, and processed foods.

Why Is Sugar Bad for Your Health?

High sugar intake can be a cause a number of health conditions, including:

• Hypertension

• Diabetes

• Fluid retention

• Depression

• Difficulty concentrating

• Anxiety

• Kidney damage

• Chromium deficiency

• Hypoglycemia

• Gastric or duodenal ulcers

• Varicose veins

• Hemorrhoids

• Multiple sclerosis

• Heart disease

• Yeast infections

• Cataracts

• Atherosclerosis

• Obesity

Eating too much sugar affects every organ in the body. Studies indicate that sugar increases the number of triglycerides, a leading cause of cardiovascular disease. It can also suppress the immune system, speed up the aging process, and increase the risk of Crohn's disease. People who eat too much sugar have high cholesterol levels and hypertension. A study conducted in 1973 has shown that ingesting 100 grams of sugar lowers white blood cell activity for five hours.

A diet rich in sugar can increase your risk of depression and have negative effects on the cardiovascular system. Research suggests a strong link between cancer and sugar consumption. Both sugar and insulin fuel cancer-cell growth. When you eat sugar rich foods, your blood sugar levels increase and then go way low. These fluctuations lead to depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia.

Beat Your Sugar Addiction

Giving up sugar can take 20 years off your looks. If you eat large amounts of sugar on a regular basis, you will have a difficult time stopping entirely overnight. The first step in giving up sugar is to find healthy alternatives such as cinnamon sticks and dried fruit. You should also consider protein rich snacks like cheese and nuts, which reduce cravings and keep you full longer.

Studies have shown that sugar can be as addictive as drugs. Even though artificial sweeteners should not be part of a healthy diet, they can help you get through the withdrawal period. It takes two weeks to get sugar out of your system before the cravings stop. Focus on how you feel, not on what you are missing. Stop buying foods rich in sugar and fill your fridge your healthy foods containing protein and complex carbohydrates. Try to avoid eating sweets for at least two weeks.

Article Source: EzineArticles