The Dangers of Too Much Sugar
When it comes to our health, sugar has a bittersweet reputation. This is sugar awareness week so ExpressMD would like to encourage you to learn about the dangers of too much sugar intake.
Eating whole foods that has natural sugar is fine. Dairy foods have calcium and protein, and plant foods have rich amounts of minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Your body digests these natural foods slowly and provides a steady supply of energy throughout your body.
Consuming too much sugar
Problems arise when you eat high amounts of added sugar. This refers to sugar that food manufacturers add to their products to extend shelf life or boost flavor. Regular consumption of too much sugar can harm our long term health. Too much sugar intake can increase your risk of developing chronic illness, such as diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and certain types of cancer.
In the American diet, the main sources of added sugar are fruit drinks, soft drinks, cereals, flavored yogurts, candy, cakes, and processed foods. Added sugar is also present in bread, soups, ketchup, and curd meats.
Consuming too much sugar can increase chronic inflammation and raise blood pressure, both of which can lead to heart disease. It also contributes to weight gain by making your body turn off its system that controls the appetite, mainly because liquid calories are not as filling and satisfying as their solid counterparts. Yes, it’s easier for people to unconsciously add more calories into their everyday diet when drinking sugary drinks.
A sugar imbalance in our body is a cause for concern. See your primary care doctor or visit ExpressMD if you develop any of these symptoms:
Hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar) symptoms:
- Feeling hungrier than usual
- Increased thirst
- Tingling or numbness in your feet
Hypoglycemia – occurs when your blood glucose become too low.
Signs of hypoglycemia:
- Shakiness
- Extreme hunger
- Cold sweats
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Loss of consciousness
Everyone needs a little sweetness in their lives, but where we get our sugar matters. To avoid complications, try to eat less refined sugars and focus more on consuming natural sugars found in whole foods, plant foods, and dairy foods.
If you feel that your blood sugar levels are out of balance, come see us. We can test you, start treatment, and get you setup with long term care.