How Does Sugar Affect Our Body?

Author: Alexander Bruni Time for reading: ~1 minutes Last Updated: August 08, 2022

CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)

Sugar is one of the most common causes of tooth decay, as it serves as food for bacteria in the oral cavity.

Sugar is the main and most easily degradable source of energy for cells in the body, especially the brain. In the process of digestion, complex carbohydrates such as starch and starch are broken down into simple sugars, and then the metabolism of the cells converts them into energy.

The structure of carbohydrates makes them the fastest and most affordable fuel for cells. There is usually about 5 g of dissolved sugar in a person's blood (an amount equal to 1 teaspoon). That's only 20 calories. They are enough for a normal, five-minute walk.

Why are we addicted to sugar?

When we eat sugar in our brain, the substance dopamine and opioids are released - natural compounds of pleasure. Eating sugar makes us feel good. Our desire for something sweet after dinner is explained by the pleasure that makes us feel the dopamine released in our brain.

How does sugar affect our teeth?

The bacterium Streptococcus mutans is considered to be one of the main causes of caries. Its main food is the residual sugar in the mouth. They ferment it and turn it into lactic acid, which has the ability to destroy tooth enamel.

It is for this reason that sugar is considered one of the main reasons for the development of caries .

What happens to the skin when you eat sugar .

It is known that sugar is not a good friend of the skin. Glucose and fructose form bonds between amino acids, converting collagen and elastin into substances that produce wrinkles.

Liver and sugar .

The liver uses fructose to synthesize fat through a process called lipogenesis. Too much sugar leads to the accumulation of fat globules, and the condition is called nonalcoholic steatosis.

Pancreas .

Elevated blood sugar levels stimulate beta cells to produce insulin. This signals the liver and muscles to start converting glucose into glycogen for storage.

Heart.

High levels of insulin in the blood cause an accelerated growth of smooth muscle cells around the arterial walls. This raises blood pressure and can lead to heart disease.