Many Americans still regularly consume a lot of sugary foods and beverages and ignore concerns associated with doing so. According to recent polls, 20% of American adults take over 700 calories’ worth of sugar per day. Consider this if you’re not familiar with the phrase “caloric sugar”: One slice of cake and a couple soft drinks are all it takes to eat 700 calories.
Although it might not seem like much, over time, it can easily pile up and cause health issues such as weight gain.
Nowadays, refined sugar may be found in everything from soda drinks, cakes, and candies to granola bars, spaghetti sauces, and ice cream. In light of this, it’s essential to reduce your intake and prioritize natural sugar.
It’s crucial to pay attention to how much sugar you consume and to attempt to keep it to less than 6 to 9 tablespoons each day. Women should limit their added sugar intake to about 6 teaspoons per day, while men should limit their intake to around 9 teaspoons per day.
Despite having a lot of calories, sugar lacks key elements that are crucial for maintaining our overall health.
Natural Sugar vs. Refined Sugar
The topic is one of the nutrition industry’s most heated topics of discussion.
Before it is transformed into the white, tiny grains that we commonly see in supermarkets, refined sugar undergoes a variety of procedures. Due to its numerous detrimental health impacts, this form of sugar might be dangerous to our health.
For instance, processed sugar has been connected to diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Furthermore, those who try to give up refined sugar may have severe withdrawal symptoms since it is addicting. Natural sugar, on the other hand, is present in foods like whole grains, honey, vegetables, and fruits. As opposed to refined sugar, this form of sugar has less detrimental health impacts on our bodies and minds. Natural sugar is also non-addictive, so consumers may consume it without worrying about withdrawal effects.
Here are four of the many health benefits of giving up refined sugar for our bodies.
Healthier heart
Your body will appreciate you in a variety of ways when you stop consuming refined sugar. The reduction in your chance of getting heart disease may be the most significant benefit. Refined sugar has a lot of calories and can make you gain weight, which puts additional stress on your heart. In addition, eating too much sugar might result in increases in triglyceride and blood pressure.
Healthier skin
Giving up refined sugar has improved the appearance of your skin. It turns out that there is a scientific explanation behind it.
The glucose inside the sugar attaches to your skin’s collagen, causing the collagen fibers to cross-link. This procedure quickens the aging process of the skin and may result in sagging skin, wrinkles, and a general loss of suppleness. Refined sugar, on the other hand, hinders your skin’s ability to rejuvenate and heal itself, which results in cleaner, younger-looking skin.
Diabetes risk is decreased
According to recent studies, taking a lot of sugar can also result in the accumulation of fatty deposits. When it happens around the liver, it can cause insulin resistance and a stressed pancreas.
Loss of weight
Eliminating sugary drinks and snacks can significantly help with weight reduction. This is because these meals have a lot of calories but little nutrients, which makes you feel hungry again quickly after consuming them. Contrarily, meals rich in fiber and protein take more time to digest, helping you feel fuller for longer and decreasing your risk of gaining weight.
Verdict
Start by taking out one or two sugary foods from your diet, and then progressively lower the amount of packaged, canned, and non-water-based beverages you consume.