4 Hidden Dangers Of Sugar We Weren't Aware Of

Nov 06, 2018

If you do not know yet about sugar having a negative impact on your health, you should look at the declining of health that aligns with the increased use of sugar over the recent decades!

Everything from our dental health, our weight, our mental and emotional health, and our hormones have been affected. Even in recent years, we are still finding the number of ways sugar can influence our health for the worse.

apost.com

Next time you think about adding sugar, think twice! Let others know the harmful effects of sugar so that we can start to get smarter and make wiser choices about what we eat. 

Were you already aware of the sweet danger of sugar or did this article open your eyes? Let us know in the comments and don't forget to pass this information on to your friends and loved ones!

Were you already aware of the sweet danger of sugar or did this article open your eyes? Let us know in the comments and don't forget to pass this information on to your friends and loved ones!

1. Sugar Is Connected To Heart Problems

Previously doctors believed that cardiovascular disease was related to eating too many fats that caused cholesterol to skyrocket. It was thought that these fats were what clogged the arteries and prescribed eating fewer animals fats to avoid this. However, no one assumed sugar had anything to contribute and so sweets were not cut out the diet.

istockphotos.com/wildpixel

In recent years, our views have changed dramatically about what contributes to higher cholesterol levels. In a recent study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, sugar is shown to not only increase cholesterol levels but also make it stick to the walls of the blood vessels. On top of all that, the blood vessel walls have already been damaged by sugar at this point and are considered weaker now.

2. Sugar Could Lead To Depression

A study conducted by Swallownest Court Hospital linked sugar to contributing to the cause of depression and numerous other mental and emotional disorders. Sugar effectively lowers the BDNF hormone. It is well known that lower levels of this hormone are associated with depression and schizophrenia.

istockphotos.com/martin-dm

Too much sugar is known to make us hyperactive, as our blood sugar levels spike. This has its own host of problems that it causes, including anxiety as the Department of Psychology at Princeton University discovered. 

In experiments with rats performed by the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology at the University of California Los Angeles, sugar is seen to lower the IQ of the rodents. It is speculated that sugar naturally damaged the connections between brain cells that help us learn and remember.

3. Sugar Can Make You Look Older

The Dartmouth Medical School revealed that sugar binds with collagen and elastin in your bloodstream. These two proteins are what makes your skin glow with youth. This binding interaction destroys these proteins, depriving your body and skin of its necessary components of beauty.

istockphotos.com/master1305

Sugar in the bloodstream, therefore, leads to dry flaky skin and the development of wrinkles.

In addition to destroying your skins repair proteins, it also produces substances that make your skin more susceptible to the sun. This greatly inhibits your skin's ability to stay looking fresh and young.

4. Sugar Inflames Your Body

The Ohio State University College of Medicine discovered that sugar has the ability to agitate your tissues by increasing inflammation. This is not only unhealthy for your body but may induce the onset of pimples! It can enhance their size and duration, making them more intense and painful. This also inhibits your body from repairing your skin, increasing the likelihood of wrinkles.

istockphotos.com/Tharakorn

Inflammation is also associated with the risk for arthritis, the painful inflaming and stiffness of joints. In addition to this, inflammation is known to increase the risk of bacterial infections, yeast overgrowth, decrease digestive health and contribute to slower wound healing.

The traditional drink of cold ice tea when you have a cold is also a culprit of bad health. If you have a swollen throat, even sugar-sweetened tea can become an aggravator. The sugar feeds the bacteria in your throat and creates a breeding ground.

Hearing all these negative impacts sugar has on our health, frequently indulging in deserts starts to seem very dangerous! Refined sugar is linked to many health problems, yet we consume huge amounts of it every day. It can be difficult to even find foods that are not made with sugar if you are looking.

But one relief is that there are alternatives that do not have the same harmful effects. Coconut sugar, stevia, and honey are all lower on the glycemic index and aren't associated with health problems if used in moderation.

Were you already aware of the sweet danger of sugar or did this article open your eyes? Let us know in the comments and don't forget to pass this information on to your loved ones!

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation by your doctor. Your health is important to us!