Sugar isn’t necessarily bad for you. Your body requires glucose, a form of sugar, to function and can manufacture it from the meals you eat.
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However, excessive use of added sugar can result in increased cravings, dental damage, and weight gain.
Here’s how excessive sugar consumption might impact your health:
1. Increases sugar cravings
Large amounts of sugar stimulate the brain’s reward and hunger centres, disrupting sensations of fullness and satisfaction.
Over time, this can lead to a diminished sense of happiness with the same sugar intake, resulting in a vicious cycle of rising cravings and probable overeating, which can contribute to weight gain or obesity.
2. Causes Tooth decay
Sugar can adhere to dangerous germs in the mouth, causing plaque formation.
This plaque generates acids that dissolve tooth enamel, causing tooth decay.
As decay develops, cavities—holes in the teeth—may occur.
3. Could cause a blood sugar crash
Sugary foods and drinks, such as sodas and pastries, contain refined carbs, which produce rapid blood glucose rises.
While this may produce a brief surge of energy, it is frequently followed by a substantial energy collapse.
To avoid these collapses, consider snacking on protein-rich foods such as Greek yoghurt with fresh berries or veggies with hummus, which assist to stabilise blood sugar.
4. Affects Brain Function
High added sugar consumption has been related to cognitive decline and an increased risk of degenerative illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
A 2019 study of more than 1,200 Malaysian individuals aged 60 and up discovered a link between high sugar consumption and impaired cognitive function.
High sugar and saturated fat diets may impair memory and cognitive functioning by causing inflammation in the brain’s central nervous system and hippocampus, which are essential for memory and hunger response.
5. Raises the risk of disease
Excess sugar can exacerbate oxidative stress in cells, causing damage to proteins, tissues, and organs.
This oxidative stress has been linked to an increased risk of various health issues, including cognitive decline, diabetes, heart disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and some malignancies.
6. May cause weight gain
Added sugar contains calories but lacks important nutrients, making you feel less satisfied.
The accompanying blood sugar spikes and crashes can cause increased hunger and overeating, which contribute to weight gain.
7. May accelerate skin ageing
Excess sugar consumption can hinder collagen healing. Collagen, a protein that keeps skin strong, breaks down, resulting in thinner skin, diminished suppleness, and premature wrinkles.
Fruits can be a healthier alternative to sweet delights since they include antioxidants that help battle inflammation and improve skin health.
8. Increases stress levels
While sweets may temporarily reduce cortisol, the stress hormone, their effects are often short lasting.
According to a 2015 study, people who are stressed may seek sweets because they are calming, but this can aggravate stress over time.
Excessive sugar consumption has been related to self-medication for stress, anxiety, and depression, potentially leading to a vicious cycle of greater sugar consumption and worse stress.
