Hello there, my sweet-toothed friends! Today, we're going to talk about the bitter truth about extra added sugar and why it's not good for our bodies. But first, some facts.
In 1700, the average person consumed approximately 4.9 grams of sugar each day.
In 1800, the average person consumed approximately 22.4 grams of sugar each day.
In 1900, the average person consumed approximately 112 grams of sugar each day.
In 2009, 50 per cent of Americans consumed approximately 227 grams of sugar each day.
Now, I know what you're thinking. "But sugar makes everything taste better! Why would we want to get rid of it?" Trust me, I get it, but after doing some research, I realized that extra added sugar is actually pretty terrible for us AND companies are getting more and more creative hiding it in our food. There are 75 different names for sugar. You read that right, 75 different names for sugar!
I know you know the obvious ones: Sugar, Sucralose, Powedered Sugar, Coconut Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, but what about:
brown rice syrup
corn syrup
corn syrup solids
dextrin
dextrose
diastatic malt
ethyl maltol
glucose
glucose solids
lactose
malt syrup
maltodextrin
maltose
rice syrup
Let's talk about the obvious. Sugar is high in calories and low in nutrients. That means when we consume sugar, we're not getting any of the good stuff our bodies need to function properly. Instead, we're just packing on the pounds and feeling sluggish.
But that's not all. Extra added sugar can also lead to a whole host of health problems, including:
Insulin resistance: When we consume too much sugar, our body becomes resistant to insulin. This can lead to health challenges down the line such as type II diabetes.
Inflammation: Sugar has been linked to chronic inflammation, which is a major contributor to many diseases.
Tooth decay: Sugar is a breeding ground for the bacteria that causes cavities.
Heart disease: A diet high in sugar can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and an increased risk of heart disease.
So, what can we do to cut down on extra added sugar? Here are a few tips:
Read food labels: Sugar can be sneaky and show up in unexpected places. Make sure you read the labels on your food and avoid products that have added sugars.
Cut back gradually: You don't have to go cold turkey on sugar. Try cutting back a little bit at a time until you're used to consuming less.
Find alternatives: There are plenty of natural sweeteners out there, like honey and maple syrup, that can satisfy your sweet tooth without all the added sugar.
Don't be too hard on yourself: It's okay to indulge in a sweet treat every once in a while. Just make sure it's in moderation and not an everyday occurrence.
Extra added sugar may be sweet, but it's definitely not worth the health risks. So next time you're tempted to reach for that sugary snack, think twice and remember the bitter truth about sugar. Stay sweet, my friends!