What is Sugar

Sugar is sucrose, a disaccharide, made up of two sugars (glucose and fructose) bound together, that is naturally made by and found in all green plants. Sugar found in the food supply is harvested from sugar beets and sugar cane. Experts believe that sugar consumption is a major cause of obesity and many chronic diseases, such as diabetes.

Why Too Much Sugar is Bad

The reasons why too much sugar is bad includes:

1. It Can Cause Weight Gain: Consuming too much added sugar, especially from sugary beverages, increases risk of weight gain and can lead to visceral fat accumulation.

2. It May Increase The Risk of Heart Disease: Consuming too much added sugar increases heart disease risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure and inflammation. High-sugar diets have been linked to an increased risk of dying from heart disease.

3. It Has Been Linked to Acne: High-sugar diets can increase androgen secretion, oil production and inflammation, all of which can raise your risk of developing acne.

4. Increases The Risk of Diabetes: A high-sugar diet may lead to obesity and insulin resistance, both of which are risk factors for diabetes.

5. May Increase The Risk of Cancer: Too much sugar can lead to obesity, insulin resistance and inflammation, all of which are risk factors for cancer.

6. May Increase The Risk of Depression: A diet rich in added sugar and processed foods may increase depression risk in both men and women.

7. May Accelerate the Skin Aging Process: Sugary foods can increase the production of AGEs, which can accelerate skin aging and wrinkle formation.

8. Can Increase Cellular Aging: Eating too much sugar can accelerate the shortening of telomeres, which increases cellular aging.

9. Drains Energy: Foods high in added sugar quickly spike blood sugar and insulin levels, leading to increased energy. High-sugar foods can negatively impact your energy levels by causing a spike in blood sugar followed by a crash.

10. It Can Lead to Fatty Liver: A high intake of fructose has been consistently linked to an increased risk of fatty liver. Eating too much sugar may lead to NAFLD, a condition in which excessive fat builds up in the liver.

11. Other Possible Health Risks: Aside from the risks listed above, sugar can harm the body in countless other ways. Consuming too much sugar may worsen cognitive decline, increase gout risk, harm kidneys and cause cavities.