There are so many diseases that might be avoided by a healthier diet. A healthier diet would contain less processed food, less trans fats and less sugar. Highly processed food is a large category, which normally contains food high in trans fats and sugar. The more sugar you consume, the more potential for disease and serious conditions. It affects your entire body, starting at your internal system. It can create clusters of symptoms, such as high blood pressure, visceral fat—belly fat, high blood sugar levels and bad cholesterol levels.
There are three macronutrients, carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
You need all three types of food. The body breaks them down with enzymes, so they are available for the cells to use. If you have too much glucose available, it’s stored in the liver, muscle tissues or packed on as body fat. Sugar is a carbohydrate, but it’s a simple carbohydrate. That means it immediately breaks down and goes into the blood stream, which causes the pancreas to produce more insulin. If you have more and more insulin produced, by increasing simple carbs, two things can occur. One is that the pancreas become overworked and fails maintaining blood sugar regulation. The second thing that can occur is the cells become insulin resistant, which can lead to a number of problems.
Insulin resistance is the precursor of type 2 diabetes.
It’s also can occur before metabolic syndrome, obesity and cardiovascular disease. When there’s glucose in your blood, each cell unlocks to absorb the glucose for energy and survival. The hormone that unlocks the cells is insulin. When there’s a constant flow, over time, the cells become less responsive, so more insulin is produced and the resistance from the cells increases. It becomes a vicious circle, where cells ultimately don’t receive adequate nourishment to be healthy.
Too much sugar can increase blood pressure.
Sugar consumption also causes chronic inflammation. That affects all parts of the body, including the brain. Scientists believe it may be one cause of Alzheimer’s disease. It also can cause heart disease. Excess sugar causes weight gain. It’s not just in food, it’s in beverages, too. Recent studies show that even “diet” soft drinks can cause visceral fat—fat around the middle that’s the most dangerous type of fat, so opting for the diet drink isn’t an option.
- Diabetes is a killer that can cause kidney failure, blindness, increased risk of limb amputation and increased risk for both colon and pancreatic cancer. Excess sugar intake can lead to arthritis, gallstones and varicose veins.
- Excess sugar can cause premature aging. It causes glycation by combining with proteins. That new molecule created is advanced glycation end products—AGEs. It attacks collagen and elastin cells that keep skin firm and youthful looking.
- Sugar is addictive. It affects the same brain receptors as cocaine. It also alters the sense of taste, so things don’t taste nearly as sweet, so you add more sugar.
- Sugar can cause memory problems. Several studies show it not only hinders memory, but also learning. Unfortunately, sugar seems to be in many products today, even ones you wouldn’t suspect, so read labels.
For more information, contact us today at Next Level Fitness