This post has been contributed by Mathews McGarry You have probably heard it said that sugar is bad for your health, but do you know precisely to what extent this is true? According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, an average American consumes 156 pounds of sugar every year, which is reason for serious concern if you take into account the range of chronic conditions that go hand in hand with excessive consumption of added sugar. Simple carbs may be a splendid source of instant energy, but a regular intake of high quantities of refined sugar can lead to dental problems, excess weight, obesity, addiction to sweet food and even life-threatening conditions such as cancer and heart disease. Sugar and weight problems: The stuff belly fat is made of Obesity is gradually becoming one of the most common lifestyle diseases that plagues modern society, and the fact that an increasing number of children and teenagers are being diagnosed with the condition is nothing short of alarming. A 2010 study by the Endocrine Society has found that fructose-packed foods and beverages contribute to the formation of fat in the abdominal parts of the body. Combined with a sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise, excessive intake of sugar in young adults can result in chronic weight problems, obesity and diabetes, which is a rather grim prospect for generations growing up on monosaccharide-laden cereals, sodas and snack bars. The sweet tooth: Dental problems linked to sugar intake According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, high sugar intake is directly linked to dental problems such as tooth demineralization and caries. Although regular use of fluoride toothpaste can help curb the negative effects of sugar consumption on oral health, the widespread use of refined sugar in industrial food is a force to be reckoned with, especially since sugar is listed under many different names on product labels different names on product labels, such as glucose, sucrose, dextrose, sucrose and maltose. Not your sweetheart: Sugar and higher risk of heart disease A study carried out by the Journal of the American Heart Association in 2013 has revealed that the regular consumption of high amounts of added sugar can contribute to an increased risk of heart disease. According to the study’s findings, glucose metabolite glucose 6-phosphate found in refined sugar impacts the heart’s pumping mechanism and can increase the risk of heart failure. If you have a habit of wolfing down sugary snacks, you may want to take heart and cut down on your monosaccharide intake, at least for your heart’s sake. The silent killer: Sugar and leptin resistance Based on a 2008 study published in the American Journal of Psychology, a diet high in fructose can trigger leptin resistance and induce overeating, unwarranted weight gain and obesity. Leptin is a hormone that signals to the brain that the body has enough fuel to function on. Once the hormone level is disturbed, you may face the risk of binge eating and multiplying inches in the waistline area. The problem with leptin resistance is that you will not feel any telltale symptoms save for gradual weight gain – and silent diseases are the ones that are the most difficult to treat efficiently. What the label does not tell you: Cancer thrives on sugar You probably know that cancer has by now become one of the leading causes of death across the globe, but what you probably do not know is that excessive intake of sugar is linked to an accelerated progress of the fatal disease. Like all other cells in the body, cancer cells feed on blood sugar (glucose), which is why a diet centered on products rich in refined sugar may be an ideal ally to a growing cancer. In addition to that, sugar plays a major role in the development of obesity and diabetes, both of which are linked to an increased risk of cancer. Addicted to the substitute for love: The sweet obsession Sugar is a common ingredient of most comfort foods we usually reach for when stressed, sad, lonely or moody. If you are not careful, the sugary reward at the end of the day may take control of your life and cause a downright addiction – and those are extremely hard to shake once the habit is formed. That is all the more reason not to give in to the cravings every time you feel a bit under the weather: there are many healthier alternatives to candies, chocolate and starchy, sweet treats that will not get you hooked or contribute to development of potentially fatal diseases. Are you ready to quit sugar and do your body a favor? However much you may love meals and snacks punctuated by sweet flavors, sugar is definitely not your health’s best buddy, so if you cannot imagine a life without it, at least try to be moderate with your daily sugar intake. Author Mathews McGarry is passionate about many forms of strength training, and has spent years lifting, dragging and flipping all manner of heavy objects. After graduating from the Faculty of Health Sciences, he started writing about his experiences, and sharing tips for a better life. He is an all-around fitness adviser and his words are strong as an Australian Bull.
0 Comments
When I received my bottle of Amazonia Raw Sugar Crave Release Spray to review, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, I hadn’t heard of this before and wondered if it would really work. I started using this after the Christmas holidays, a time when I gave up all healthy dietary habits and ate a lot of sugar filled desserts! The spray contains many different herbs, flowers, leaves and seeds which are anti-parasitic and help to fight sugar and carb cravings. It does have a distinctive taste, the flavour which stands out to me is the oregano herb, if you’re used to drinking and eating herbs, you will know what I mean. They're not going to taste sweet, but they work! Occasionally I use oregano oil on it’s own to help with intestinal issues. All of the ingredients are well known herbs which have amazing health benefits, normally known to treat stomach problems. This spray works by balancing the intestinal flora in your body, which in turn, helps to stop unhealthy cravings, I go through stages of the month where I do crave sweets and carbs, the times I used this for cravings I found myself wanting different types of healthy foods, all of a sudden I'm enjoying salad sandwiches, which isn't the type of food I usually crave, to be honest I haven't had a salad sandwich in years (that's probably not something I should be admitting!). I also found this spray extremely helpful for treating an upset stomach, this is because the herbs contained in the spray kill off nasty germs and targets bad digestive bacteria, which is very good for people like me with food sensitivities. Whether you are trying to lose weight and cut back on sugar or just want to keep your insides working smoothly, this is a handy spray to have. I’ve been using it every day to keep things balanced. Developed with the help of naturopaths and nutritionsist, this spray was created by a hands on Australian company called Amazonia, creators of premium organic health products which have developed a huge following, both in Australia and Internationally. Following are a list of all ingredients and their health properties - Green Black Walnut Hull - stomach infections and parasitic infections Clove Flower - upset stomach, nausea, bad breath Pumpkin Seed - intestinal parasites, infections Gentian Root - germ killer, intestinal parasites, muscle spasms Hyssop Leaf, - digestive and intestinal problems Cumin Seed - digestion, bloating Cramp Bark - fluid retention, cramps Peppermint Leaf - digestion, heartburn, ibs, upset stomach, bacterial overgrowth Chinese Rhubarb Root - stomach upset and pain, fine cleanser for the intestines, bowels, liver and blood, helping to rid the system of accumulated toxins. Thyme Leaf - germ killer, breath freshener, parasitic infections, sore throat, upset stomach and pain Oregano Leaf - heartburn, bloating, cramps, intestinal parasites, allergies Fennel Seed - digestive problems, bloating, gas Available at Vitamin King |
Categories
All
Archives
November 2022
|