Sugar is everywhere, its in drinks, processed foods and is a normal part of our everyday lives. But the unassuming sweet stuff can leave a nasty sharp bitter taste when it comes to our health.
Not all sugars are the same. Fructose found in fruits and vegetables and lactose in dairy-rich foods are natural sugars we don’t have to be as concerned about those.
I’m more referring to raw sugars found in cordials, fizzy drinks, processed foods, even so called ‘natural’ sugars such as honey and syrup. Most of us consume too much without realising the hidden dangers.
Historically, the western world has only started eating sugar in more recent times. 200 hundred years ago, it really wasn't a thing. Obesity is a relatively new and modern disease, that has really got out of hand in the past 50 years because of the increased commercial trading in the food industry with easy access to supplies in supermarkets, fast food outlets and restaurants etc
The average person can consume over 20 teaspoons of raw sugars per day without even knowing it. The daily recommended is around 5 teaspoons a day for the average adult. Babies, toddlers and young children should not have any added sugars at all
Sugar is sneaky and can hide over 60 different names and can turn up in the most unexpected places even when you trying to make more healthy food choices
When we eat sugar, most of it gets broken down and absorbed in the small intestine. Specialised enzymes attack larger molecules and convert them into three simpler sugars: glucose, galactose, and fructose. The liver and muscles store some of the glucose as glycogen, a molecule that can be turned back into glucose when your body needs it.
When glucose enters the bloodstream, however, levels of blood glucose rise. In response, the pancreas secretes insulin to help glucose get where it needs to go in your body. If you’re consuming large amounts of added sugar, the cells can become resistant to insulin over time, a risk factor for systemic inflammation, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic conditions.
Consuming too much added sugar has also been linked to weight gain and obesity, risk factors for heart disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, digestive issues, hormonal problems, allergies, skin conditions and cancer.
Excessive intakes of added sugars impact our energy, mood, weight, and disease risk, it can impact our physical and mental well-being.”
In order for us to function as smoothly and as normally as possible, we need our blood sugar levels to stay stable throughout the day without spiking peaks and troughs. Even artificial sugars and sweeteners can have the same affect as sugar does on the body, so best avoid.
We do need some sugars in the form of fruits and vegetables, but cut out the raw stuff and so called ‘sugar-free’ products and you will be shocked at how much better you will feel. Complex carbohydrates are still essential for good health and the metabolism, but chose wholegrain options such as rice, pasta, sweet potato and ordinary potatoes are good too
Look for foods with low glycemic index such as bananas, nuts, avocados even milk. There are plenty of tasty alternative options out there that keep your glucose levels stable and lower the risk of any co-morbidities associated with large sugar intake as well as keeping your weight under control
For help and advice you can always Whatsapp Caroline Balazs on 07803 44 0539
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