The Hidden Dangers of Excess Sugar Consumption

A lot of time and money are spent figuring out ways to lose weight and be healthier.  Often times they are bandages over the problem instead of fixing the source of it (sounds familiar because this is what medications do).  What if we really started to pay attention to our sugar consumption and how it can affect our bodies?  Keep in mind that heart disease and type II diabetes were virtually unknown in the early 1900’s and the average American consumed about 5 lbs of sugar annually.  Amazingly, those 5 lbs annually has turned into our bi-weekly consumption and those diseases are rampant.  Sugar turns into fat in your body faster than fat does.  The more refined it is…the worse it is for you.  So let’s look at a list of how it can affect our body:

• Sugar can suppress the immune      system.

• Sugar can upset the body's mineral balance.

• Sugar can contribute to hyperactivity, anxiety, depression,      concentration difficulties, and crankiness in children.

• Sugar can produce a significant rise in triglycerides.

• Sugar can cause drowsiness and decreased activity in      children.

• Sugar can reduce helpful high density cholesterol      (HDLs).

• Sugar can cause hypoglycemia.

• Sugar contributes to a weakened defense against      bacterial infection.

• Sugar can cause kidney damage.

• Sugar can increase the risk of coronary heart disease.

• Sugar may lead to chromium deficiency.

• Sugar can cause copper deficiency.

• Sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and      magnesium.

• Sugar can increase fasting      levels of blood glucose.

• Sugar can promote tooth decay.

• Sugar can produce an acidic stomach.

• Sugar can raise adrenaline levels in children.

• Sugar can lead to periodontal disease.

• Sugar can speed the aging process, causing wrinkles      and grey hair.

• Sugar can increase total cholesterol.

• Sugar can contribute to weight gain and obesity.

• High intake of sugar increases the risk of Crohn's      disease and ulcerative colitis.

• Sugar can contribute to diabetes.

• Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.

• Sugar can cause a decrease in insulin sensitivity.

• Sugar leads to decreased glucose tolerance.

• Sugar can cause cardiovascular disease.

• Sugar can increase systolic blood pressure.

• Sugar causes food allergies.

• Sugar can cause free radical      formation in the bloodstream.

• Sugar can cause toxemia during pregnancy.

• Sugar can contribute to eczema in children.

• Sugar can overstress the pancreas, causing damage.

• Sugar can cause atherosclerosis.

• Sugar can compromise the lining of the capillaries.

• Sugar can cause liver cells to divide, increasing the      size of the liver.

• Sugar can increase the amount of fat in the liver.

• Sugar can increase kidney size and produce pathological      changes in the kidney.

• Sugar can cause depression.

• Sugar can increase the body's fluid retention.

• Sugar can cause hormonal imbalance.

• Sugar can cause hypertension.

• Sugar can cause headaches, including migraines.

• Sugar can cause an increase in delta, alpha and theta      brain waves, which can alter the mind's ability to think clearly.

• Sugar can increase blood platelet adhesiveness which      increases risk of blood clots and strokes.

• Sugar can increase insulin responses      in those consuming high-sugar diets compared to low sugar diets.

• Sugar increases bacterial fermentation in the colon

Sorry to overwhelm you, but it’s important to know.  Artificial sweeteners have a whole other set of problems associated with them.  It’s nearly impossible to completely avoid sugar, but at least minimize your consumption, your body will thank you for it.