Many people wonder why is sugar bad for you. It wasn’t always bad, but nowadays we add sugar to everything in our diets, and in this way, we are eating way more sugar than we should each day.
Did you know that just by cutting down on the sugar, you can avoid 50% more infections, improve your immune system, and stay looking younger for longer?
Did you know that if you cut out sugar from your diet and your immune system will perform 50% better?
I am sure the mere thought of never eating sugar again make
s you feel sick, but researchers have found that just 1 teaspoon of sugar impairs your immune system by 50% for a few hours after consumption.
So if you eat a little bit of sugar now and then throughout the day, your immune system is impaired by 50% all day long.
This can make an incredible difference as to whether an infection catches hold or not.
Now that is food for thought.
Why Is Sugar Bad for You
According to Personal & Finance, researchers have determined that the average fully-functioning white blood cell could destroy about 16 germs per minute.
After an overnight fast, research volunteers each swallowed the equivalent of just less than 100 grams of simple sugar found in honey, orange juice, or starch. Their blood was drawn and white blood cells analyzed at intervals of 30 and 60 minutes for several hours, to observe how many germs they could ‘eat’ per minute.
According to the study, the number of germs white blood cells are capable of destroying two hours after consumption of any type of sugar, except starch, is on average half the normal level.
Beware of Commercial Orange Juice
Strangely the researchers found that even orange juice, which is known as one of the best juices, interfered with the body’s ability to fight germs. This could also be because most commercial fruit juices, even the no sugar added ones, are nothing but naturally fruit-flavored sugar.
So if you can’t do without your morning glass of orange juice, it is best to squeeze your own, as the whole fruit juice, including the fiber, doesn’t cause nearly as much of a sugar problem.
How To Give Up Sugar, But Not Sweet Tastes
Next time you go shopping, try to stock up on some snacks that do not have any refined sugar. Remember the test showed that starches didn’t have the same bad effect on the immune system.
There are copious amounts of crackers, pretzels, and other sugar-free snacks that will make great substitutes to things like chocolate or confectionary.
Raw vegetables and fruits are also safe. Try to stick with foods that are whole grain, low in fat and high in nutrients.
Remember, you can’t ignore your blood pressure, cholesterol, or weight, just because you are trying to give your immune system a boost.
Another no-no is substituting sugar for artificial sweeteners. Chemicals found in these artificial sweeteners may or may not increase our odds of getting infections, but they can cause their own problems.
If you are having problems weaning yourself off of the sweet stuff, try a herbal sweetener such as Xylitol. You will only need to use a fraction of this, as it is a lot sweeter than normal sugar.
Other Dangers Of Eating Too Much Sugar
If your blood sugar is unstable you will experience mood swings, headaches and fatigue.
This also leads to cravings and you will feel false hunger.
Sugar Increases Chances of Heart Disease, Obesity And Diabetes
While it is nice to indulge once in a while don’t do it too often, because foods that quickly affect blood sugar contribute to a greater risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
Sugar Makes You Look Older
Sugar can yes with your skin and contribute to wrinkles and sagging. The reason for this is once sugar enters your bloodstream, it attaches to proteins and the mixture of the two causes loss of elasticity and can lead to premature aging.
Chromium Deficiency
Chromium is a trace mineral which helps to regulate blood sugar in the body. Because we eat too much sugar, we don’t get enough chromium from things like meat, seafood and plant sources. Carbohydrates in their refined forms rob foods of their chromium supplies.
Tooth Decay And Gum Disease
When sugar sits on your teeth, it causes more decay than any other type of food, so make sure to brush up twice a day to avoid sugars from fueling bacteria and plaque.
Evidence has also shown that gum disease plays a role in the development of heart disease.
Tips To Cut Back On Sugar
Other ways to cut back on sugar include:
-
- Avoiding sugar-loaded desserts
- Eat full-fat foods as recommended in the Atkins diet
- Cut back on sugar-filled drinks
- Eat more whole foods
- Eat more protein
- Check labels for sugar in products that you purchase, especially tinned food
- Even check the so-called healthy processed foods
- Avoid sugar-filled breakfast cereals
- Exercise every day
In fact, the best way to give up sugar completely (although it is difficult) is to go cold turkey. After a week or two, you will be used to not having sugar in your life.
So if you have any other comments on sugar and its pros and cons, please feel free to comment below.
