We’ve Done The Research On Sugar And Made It Super Easy For You To Understand

You're never going to guess where most of your sugar intake is coming from

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Sugar, sugar, it’s not just candy girl

We assume that sugar is out rightly something sweet but that isn’t always the case. Sugar can be:

  • Glucose: Produced by your body as it breaks down both simple and complex carbohydrates. It is also found occurring naturally in some foods like honey and peaches.
  • Sucrose: Made up of equal parts glucose and fructose. Most commonly known as ‘table sugar’. Extracted from sugar cane/beets. It is naturally occurring in many fruits and vegetables but is added to processed foods.
  • Fructose: It is ‘fruit sugar’. Naturally occurring in most fruits and vegetables as well as honey and agave. It is added to processed foods as high-fructose corn syrup.

 

Is sugar a carb?

Is sugar a carb?

  • Carbohydrates (as well as fat and protein) are the body’s source of energy
  • The use of refined sugar is one of the reasons why some carbs are “bad”
  • All carbs will break down in your body and produce glucose- blood sugar
  • Bad carbs, those including refined flour and added sugar, break down faster causing blood sugar levels to spike
  • Good carbs, complex carbohydrates such as whole-grains and brown rice, break down slowly so it is easier for the body to regulate
  • Not all simple carbs/sugars are bad, you can find them in nutritious fruit

Well, should I be consuming added sugar at all if I’m getting it from carbs already?

  • Moderation is key. The recommended daily allowance for added sugar is 6 teaspoons a day for women and 9 for men
  • There is no need to deliberately incorporate added sugar in your diet but if you have a sweet tooth, you don’t have to deprive yourself

Sugar? No thanks

  • Sugar is strongly related to a higher risk of heart disease and high blood pressure
  • Too much of sugar creates insulin resistance- which can lead to diabetes
  • Cavities
  • Fructose goes through the liver and too much of it will cause a liver to become fatty
  • Results in weight gain
  • Gives temporary energy (sugar high) but as the levels deplete you may experience a sugar crash
  • It can cause depression
  • It is an addictive substance
  • Damages the collagen in your skin
  • Likely affects sexual performance in males
  • Disturbs your sleep cycle

Say something sweet at least

  • If you’re keeping up with a relatively healthy lifestyle, you can go ahead and have that soda you’re craving
  • Keeping your sugar intake in check is the most important thing; a little awareness goes a long way
  • Know where your sugar is coming from; you may be enjoying yourself some baked beans for breakfast while being blissfully unaware that it does in fact contain sugar
  • It’s hard to kick the sugar habit, just allow yourself time and patience
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