The Not So Sweet Effects of Sugar
It’s sticky, it’s sweet, and it’s also nutritionally bankrupt. Sugar is making people sick, tired, and fat. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports Americans take in an astounding 156 pounds of sugar each year! The amount of sugar consumed around the glove is approximately 173 million tons!
While it is easy for many to point out that sugar exists in sweet snacks, ice cream, and soda, it is also hiding in salad dressings, pasta sauces, and many more foods that we think are healthy.
Why is Sugar Making us Sick?
A study conducted by JAMA Internal Medicine, found that “Epidemiologic studies have suggested that higher intake of added sugar is associated with cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors.” The study determined that “Most US adults consume more added sugar than is recommended for a healthy diet. We observed a significant relationship between added sugar consumption and increased risk of CVD mortality.”
Another study, this one led by Dr. Custodia Garcia-Jimenez at the University Rey Juan Carlos in Madrid, concluded that increased levels of sugar are a vital component connecting obesity and diabetes with cancer. According to Garcia Jimenez’s study, increased levels of sugar promote the activity of a gene widely implicated in the progression of cancer. 1
If sugar is a large part of your diet, it can decrease your immune system’s ability to function, making you more likely to get sick. It can also contribute to joint pain and increased arthritis.
Cut Back on the Sweet Stuff
A key element in cutting back on sugar is paying close attention to food labels. Make foods that have little to no added sugar a main part of your diet, and opt for more vegetables over more fruit. Fruits have high sugar, but a great option is berries. If you take sweetener in your coffee or cereal, try Stevia, which is a plant-based, natural sweetener.
We can help you break that sugar habit, and show you that chiropractic care can help boost your immune system, and your overall health!
Reference
1. Chocarro-Calvo A, García-Martínez J M, Ardila-González S, De la Vieja A, García-Jimenez C. Glucose-induced ?-catenin acetylation enhances Wnt signaling in cancer. Mol Cell 2012; doi:doi:10.1016/j.molcel.2012.11.022 [Epub ahead of print]. | Article |