Not many people can resist the sweet taste of sugar. If you are reading this, chances are that you have taken one sugary drink, soda or processed fruit juice, in the last seven days.
Sugary foods and drinks are one of the first things we love as we grow. These days, a lot of the foods and beverages we take contain sugar to various degrees. This means it is almost impossible to avoid taking sugar.
While some people make a conscious effort to limit their level of sugar intake, there are those who do not mind and can take sugary foods and drinks for as long as they have access to them. But how good is it to consume too much sugar?
Sugar is needed by the body as it is converted to carbohydrates, which provides energy for work. But too much of a good thing can be very bad, and unchecked consumption of sugar can lead to some serious health effects.
In this article, we would be going over some of the health effects of eating too much sugar.
10 Health Effects Of Eating Too Much Sugar
Sugar is a common ingredient in our diets, but overconsumption of this sweet substance can have serious health consequences. Here are the negative health effects of excessive sugar consumption.
1. Affects your dental health
Eating too much sugar can negatively affect your dental health. Sugar residue on the teeth can provide the right condition for bacteria to flourish.
This can lead to the formation of plaque, which can cause cavities to appear on the teeth. This is essentially what tooth decay is.
Sugar is also responsible for attractive bacteria that affect the gum, a condition known as gingivitis.
Reducing your sugar intake would lead to less residue on your teeth and gums, preventing serious issues in the long run.
2. Increases the risk of diabetes
Although sugar consumption is not the cause of diabetes, it can increase the risk of having diabetes, especially when other factors are present. Diabetes is a condition where the body cannot produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels.
Constantly consuming sugar would make it harder for the insulin in your body to check your blood sugar levels, which could lead to diabetes.
3. Increases the risk of obesity
Another harmful effect of high sugar consumption is that it could increase the risk of becoming obese or overweight.
Among the many factors that lead to obesity include high consumption of sugar and processed foods. Foods like ice cream, soda drinks, pizza, burgers, chips, and so on always have high amounts of sugar. Including such foods, in your diet every day could increase the risk of becoming obese.
4. High blood pressure levels
It has been observed that eating too much sugar can increase one’s blood pressure levels. This could lead to a condition known as ‘hypertension’ and other heart diseases.
5. Increases the risk of liver damage
It might be surprising to hear, but unchecked consumption of sugar can lead to liver damage. This is because high consumption of refined sugar can lead to a fatty buildup around the liver, which could lead to liver disease.
In some cases, it has been observed that sugar acts on the liver just like alcohol, which is another substance that damages the liver.
6. Negatively affects the skin
Excessive sugar consumption can lead to skin aging and contribute to various skin problems due to its impact on the body’s natural processes.
When we consume a lot of sugar, it causes a spike in insulin levels, which triggers inflammation in the body. This inflammation can cause collagen, the protein responsible for skin’s elasticity, to break down, leading to wrinkles, sagging, and fine lines.
Additionally, a diet high in sugar can lead to an overproduction of oil in the skin, clogging pores and contributing to the development of acne and other skin conditions.
7. May lead to depression
Eating a high sugar diet has been associated with an increased risk of depression for several reasons.
First of all, sugar can lead to fluctuations in blood sugar levels, which can cause mood swings, energy crashes and symptoms of depression.
Secondly, high sugar intake can disrupt the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood and can contribute to depression.
Furthermore, consuming too much sugar can cause changes in the gut microbiome, which may also impact mental health and mood.
8. Increases the risk of fatty liver disease
When you consume too much sugar, the liver converts the excess glucose into fat, which can accumulate in the liver and cause a condition called Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).
Over time, this accumulation of fat in the liver can cause inflammation and scarring, leading to a more serious condition called Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH).
If left unchecked, NASH can lead to liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and other serious health problems.
9. May raise the risk of cancer
Eating too much sugar can raise the risk of cancer. Consuming excessive amounts of sugar can lead to weight gain and obesity, which are risk factors for several types of cancer.
In addition, high sugar intake can cause chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, which can damage cells and contribute to the development of cancer.
However, researches on the link between added sugar intake and cancer are still ongoing.
10. Increases the risk of kidney diseases
The negative health effects of eating too much sugar also includes increasing the risk of kidney diseases.
High sugar intake leads to high blood sugar levels, which can damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys, leading to impaired kidney function.
Also, high fructose intake can increase serum concentrations of urate, leading to the development of kidney disease.
Over time, this can lead to chronic kidney disease. In addition, consuming too much sugar can also contribute to obesity, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance, which are all risk factors for kidney disease.
Conclusion
Eating too much sugar on a regular basis can have negative impacts on our health. It can lead to conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other related illnesses. It is important to maintain a balanced diet and limit our intake of added sugars. Rather than relying on sugary foods and drinks, it is recommended to opt for healthier sources of nutrition like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
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