Zhwan Azad
If you are a sweets lover, this is for you! I might be one myself, though… Let’s get through this together.
Do you know that feeling when you give the first bite to a yummy donut? Or that chocolate layered cake? Or pistachio-dipped churros? Oh, God!
I mean… Everything about sweets and desserts is so tasty! However, I had bad news about us, guys… All that amount of sugar we consume might present us with many health issues.
Now… Let’s talk numbers. How much is TOO much sugar?
According to the WHO, the daily intake of sugar should be less than 10% aka 6 tsp for women, and 9 tsp for men.
Viral Strange will list 9 health signs that you are overconsuming sugar. *Please be cautious to substitute sugary products with naturally sweet products, such as fruits, etc. See a doctor for further medical advice and treatment.
1. Muscle pain
Our bodies warn us about any inflammation happening on the inside. Overconsuming sugar makes our immune cells send inflammatory messengers into our blood. This breaks down the advanced glycation end-products and protein bound to a glucose molecule.
The problem here is that the more sweets you eat, the more biochemical reactions will happen, which can lead to heart disease, arthritis, or cataracts.
2. Craving sweets
Has it ever happened to you that after eating something sweet, you felt hungry again? Now, we know that sugar releases dopamine, which keeps us happy and in a good mood.
So, the more sweets you eat, the more your body will crave them because it makes you happy. It is addictive, just like drugs.
3. Energy highs and lows
Glucose molecules are there to give us the energy we need to function like normal human beings. However, we need to keep it cool with the consumption of sugary foods, because it may lead to a deviation in energy levels.
This happens because when you eat sweets, the pancreas releases insulin to level the glucose in your body, and you feel energetic. On the other hand, your body’s energy will drop once you will crave more sugar.
4. Skin breakouts
Added sugar in food leads to insulin levels being higher to start the glycation process. Glucose and high insulin level can cause inflammation and skin issues because they kick-start the oil glands producing more grease. Try to eat fewer sweets and sugary foods, to get rid of the acne appearing on your skin.
5. Weight gain
One obvious sign of overconsuming sweets is gaining weight.
A high level of sugar increases the amount of insulin released. All the fat is stored in your belly.
6. Tooth decay
Cavities and tooth decay are other signs of overconsuming sweets. The debris left can make the teeth rot. It also causes plaques on your teeth.
On the other hand, pieces of food might get stuck and cannot be removed, which leads to tooth decay. Brush your teeth and see a dentist regularly!
7. A high sugar tolerance
Eating sweets every day can lead to a high sugar tolerance. So, a sweet fruity cake will not taste that sweet after some time. That is why you will crave something sweeter, such as chocolate-layered cakes, for example.
8. Frequent colds and flu
Too many sweets lead to a low immune system. Yes. It happens because our immune system cells cannot attack bacteria. Vitamin C and glucose have almost the same chemical structure.
So, when you eat only sweets, your immune system will take glucose present in your body to fight the bacteria, but it doesn’t have that power so your body will suffer more. Eat your fruits and veggies!
9. Feeling bloated
Digestive problems can happen because of sugar, too. When sugars are not absorbed well in the small intestine, they enter the big intestine. Here, sugars are considered gas-producing bacteria. This will lead to bloating and gas.
Benefits you will have from avoiding sugar:
It will be beneficial for your body to get rid of sugary foods. Here are some benefits:
- Eliminate inflammation
- Weight loss and prevent obesity
- No more mood swings
- Acne-free skin
- Avoid the risk of type 2 diabetes
- Feeling energetic throughout the day
How to avoid overconsuming sugar?
Added sugars can be found in teas, beverages, foods, etc. It might not be easy to get rid of sugar once and for all. However, you can cut out the amounts and go for gradual diet changes. Gradual because going from a high-sugar diet to a no-sugar, one can be tricky for the body. Instead, try these things:
• Avoid sugary beverages and candies
• Avoid cakes, chocolates, or muffins
• Read the label of the products before buying and pick the ones with no high sugar content
• Replace simple carbs products such as white flour or rice with whole-grain options
• Avoid artificial sweeteners because they contain aspartame, sucralose, neotame, etc., and can be harmful to your body
Conclusion
Finally, you should understand that sugar is an unhealthy addiction, like smoking or drugs. Overconsuming sugar can cause several diseases like diabetes or cancer and even lead to death.
It can be difficult making uncomfortable changes in your daily life, but as we mentioned above, start gradually. Choose to be healthy!
How is your relationship with sugar? Tell us in the comments.
I was addicted to sugar and now I have severe type 2 diabetes. I take a fairly good amount of 2 types of insulin every day. Diabetes has caused many medical problems wit me. Those problems will end up killing me. I’m trying to hang on as long as I can.
Sugar does not, will not now or ever cause anyone to get diabetes!
Yeah, my husband has type 2 diabetes. His A1C had gotten up to 11.7 and I helped him get it down to 8.5 and going down. I had alot of stuff going on and I backed off and let him deal with all that himself. I would try to tell him not to eat certain things and he would jump down my throat and tell me:: I AM A GROWN MAN I DON’T NEED FOR ANYBODY TO TELL ME WHAT TO EAT OR DRINK!!! I had alot going on with myself so I backed off and let him do it. He knows what he is suppose to eat and drink and drink.He has had diabetes for many years.. I have chronic back pain and then in 2019 I got breast cancer. I had to take chemo also. But now I have to take chemo for life because it has turned out to be medistadic breast cancer because it spread to my T11 DISC IN MY BACK.. So when that happened it is now STAGE 4 MEDISTADIC BREAST CANCER WITH NO CURE. I have to now take chemo for life with no
I hope you beat this! My friend from high school only in her 30’s died 2 years ago from stage 4. It came back 2 years later. It got into her kidneys and liver. It rubs strong in her family. She had 5 kids and a grandson. She never made it down the aisle. I am thankfully not diabetic or with high blood pressure or cholesterol. I was over 300 lbs for a year. I’m in the 280’s. My mom is borderline type 2 and just takes Metformin. She’s 76. This was probably 15 years ago. She never even checked her blood sugar. She never ate a lot of sugar.
What do you mean, she nearly died? You wrote she died!
If the general public has no idea how dangerous sugar is by now, they never will. The dangers of sugar to your system has actually been compared to how bad smoking is. If you are induldging in both of these things, how are you still alive??
I pray a lot
Good luck everyone in fighting whatever you’re fighting.. I loved sugar but I’m slowly cutting down. I feel like my energy dropped massively and i struggle to concentrate//organize etc. It’s a silent killer what’s worse. People don’t ruin your lives and those of your family members as most habits and some addictions too run down in families. In the end it will have a huge impact on your teeth too and you won’t be able to even smile. Sugar especially mixed with acids can badly damage you tooth enamel if you’re using abrasive toothpaste or sonic toothbrush. To cut it short, it’s just bad bad bad
I am a sugar addict! I love my sweets I love my chocolates, I struggle with this daily! But I have noticed, when I eat a lot of sugar I get diarrhea. And it is not fun! So at this point in my life I will be trying to eliminate sugar from my diet, as much as I can, gradually.
I’m also type 2 diabetes because of sugar. I’ve been saying for years I’m addicted. I gave up smoking years ago and I’m now still trapped in sugar addiction. I’m still eating loads of sugar even with the meds because my brain is craving it constantly. I can’t lose the weight either…I’m so sick of this battle…..
Hi Denise,
I too am Type2 Diabetic.
I also have since turning 45 (I’m 54 now) Osteoarthritis in most of my joints now.
It started in my knees and then my hips, it now is so bad that I need a double hip replacement but because of my sweet tooth I have been rejected 3 times now by the hospital because my sugar count was too high.
I wish I could just stop eating cakes, ice cream, chocolate etc but I’m in so much pain 24 hours a day, I just think ‘Oh F#ck it..!!’ .I know its not doing me any good, but I cannot seem to break its hold on me. 😓
So I know what your going through.
Hope you can find a way of beating the dreaded Sweet Tooth.
I’m in a love hate relationship with sugar. A BDSM relationship; it is my master…:-(
What’s BDSM? Sounds toxic very toxic.. man get help please I do care and I’m really really concerned. You have kids/ family? Maybe they could watch you and help you so you wouldn’t be doing what you’re doing destroying yourself. Family lock on the cupboard if you’re not strong/sensible enough not to overdo?? Sugar doesn’t need to be hated, just reduced, common sense. Just want to help