Why You Should Give Up Sugar

Sugar is very harmful to health - it is 5 times more addictive than cocaine, and is just as dangerous to life. However, sugar is not prohibited anywhere, even though it is called white death out of sight. Many will consider this definition an exaggeration, but it is more of a bitter truth than a successful saying.

Today, there are more than 8,000 scientific papers investigating the health effects of sugar . But more often we underestimate the scale of the threat and from time to time please ourselves with an almond croissant in addition to a cup of our favorite coffee. And sometimes we don't notice the danger at all. Did you know that one cup of ginger latte contains a daily dose of sugar - 24 g, against the recommended norm of 25 g.

The result of an overindulgence in sweets can be not only a few extra centimeters on the waist, but also skin problems, tooth decay, heart disease, inflammatory processes in the body and the risk of developing diabetes. It is known that sugar accelerates the aging of cells, and its negative effect on the liver can be compared to regular alcohol consumption. If this is not enough, here are some more good reasons to give up dessert .

Positive changes in the brain

It is known that diabetes is one of the main risk factors for the development of dementia in old age. But fans of sweets should be more careful in any case. According to the data of Professor Paul Crane from the University of Washington, the risk of memory loss is not associated with diabetes, but with an increased level of glucose in the blood. If you want to keep a clear mind until old age, give up sugar now.

In February 2020, scientists from Macquarie University (Sydney) discovered that an unbalanced diet with a high content of fat and sugar can affect the cognitive functions of the brain at any age. 110 healthy people aged 20-23 took part in the experiment. During the week, they ate ready-made breakfasts and fast food. At the end of the experiment, all participants showed lower results in memory tests compared to the control group. Lead researcher Dr. Stevenson points out that such a diet can lead to marked cognitive impairments that also undermine appetite control and contribute to overeating.

Improving the quality of sleep

A diet low in fiber and high in sugar is associated with poor sleep quality and frequent middle-of-the-night awakenings. That's why, before buying sleeping pills, try to review your eating habits. Perhaps the cause of insomnia lies in an excessive love for vanilla eclairs?

Simple carbohydrates give a sharp release of energy and prepare the body for increased activity, which is not at all what is needed at night. According to Charlotte Watts, author of Good Mood Food, sugar uses up a lot of magnesium, which is essential for healthy sleep. It is better to give up sweets in the evening in favor of products with a high tryptophan content (lentils, poultry, sour milk cheese, nuts). And remember: the less you rely on sugar and caffeine for energy during the day, the better you'll sleep at night.

Strengthening immunity

It's hard to believe, but often excessive love of desserts , and not cool weather or a lack of vitamin C, is the main cause of long seasonal colds. It has been scientifically proven that excess sugar suppresses the work of leukocytes - white blood cells that are responsible for the body's ability to resist diseases. Only 100 g of sugar reduces the activity of leukocytes by 40%. This can shut down the immune system for 4-5 hours. Antioxidants help strengthen immunity - vitamin E, beta-carotene, selenium, copper, zinc. For that reason, the next time you want something sweet , instead of dessert , it is better to eat a persimmon, an apricot, a piece of melon or a ripe fig.

Reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer

According to a large study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, a diet high in sugar increases the risk of death from cardiovascular disease. The fact is that sweet foods and drinks contribute to an increase in blood pressure. In addition, sweets have a destructive effect on the liver.

An unbalanced diet is the main cause of the so-called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and the love of cakes or sweet soda water only worsens the condition. If the diet is not changed, the disease can lead to cirrhosis or cancer. It is important to remember: if, in addition to desserts , you regularly eat fruits and vegetables, the risk remains the same. That is, it is not enough to simply add a couple of apples to your daily diet. It is important to reduce the amount of sugar to acceptable standards.