3 Reasons to Give Up Sugar Now
By Virginia Laird
Like many people, I have a major sweet tooth. For years I embraced it, but recent research suggests that sugar could be the enemy to a person's health. This may not be anything new to some, but for me, it is big news. There are a great many harmful effects to health that can be linked back to consuming too much sugar. Some people do not realize how much sugar they are consuming. Desserts are not the only place in which sugar is found. Sodas and juices contain large amounts of sugar. Making the choice to cut just a couple of heavily sugared up beverages or foods can make all the difference. Some reasons to cut sugar from a diet include:
- Sugar is costly
- The immune system can be affected
- The liver can be damaged by sugar
Sugar is Costly
People may not consider a candy bar, soda, or a bag of sugar for cooking to be expensive. However, the effects of too much sugar in the diet is costly. Think about it, sugar leads to cavities as well as other dental issues. Too much sugar over a long time can lead to diabetes. This is certainly costly. Medications and doctor visits associated directly with this disease are high priced.
The Immune System can be Affected
Research suggests that eating or drinking too much sugar causes cells that help to fight off infection to deactivate. This can last anywhere from a few hours to a day. When you find yourself or anyone in your family getting ill often, a great place to check is how much sugar has been consumed. Consider reducing your sugar intake, as this can help boost the immune system. Believe it or not, research proves that as little as one can of soda can shut down the immune system for a minimum of an hour.
Sugar Can Destroy your Liver
Consuming too much sugar can cause the liver to shut down. This can be serious considering the body cannot work without the liver. Research suggests high fructose foods, including soda, juices and even syrups, can cause the liver to work harder than usual. This can actually cause the body to feel exhausted, have high blood pressure, increase the odds of kidney stones, and even bring about gout. All of these things can eventually lead to organ failure.
Consider reducing your sugar intake as well as the sugar intake of your family to help everyone lead a healthier life.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.