Excess sugar does a number on our bodies

Our lives are loaded with sugar in countless forms - everything from the straight-up white kind to "natural" to those well-hidden artificial sweeteners. Regardless of the source, too much sugar wreaks havoc with your health. With sugar present in almost everything the sugar industry and its mass marketing campaigns are booming! Which is a big reason to pay attention to legitimate research revealing even more negative effects of excess sugar on our bodies. Here are a few consequences of overconsumption.

It's really bad for your teeth

Sugar plays a harmful role in tooth decay. The bacteria that form together to become plaque use sugar as a form of energy. The acids then formed are what cause tooth decay. The more sugar you have the faster they multiply and the plaque grows in size and thickness. Some of the bacteria turn the sugar into a kind of glue that makes them stick to the tooth surface

The plaque that forms on your teeth and doesn’t get washed away by saliva or brushed away by your toothbrush produces acid as it eats up sugar. This acid is produced inside the plaque and can’t be easily washed away by your saliva. The acid dissolves the minerals that make your tooth enamel hard. The surface of the enamel becomes porous – tiny holes appear. After a while, the acid causes the tiny holes in the enamel to get bigger until one large hole appears. This is a cavity.

Fatty liver disease

When you eat excess sugar, part of it turns to fructose which can only be processed by the liver. When the liver is overloaded with fructose, it is forced to turn it into fat, leading to a fatty liver.

Some fat in your liver is normal. But if it makes up more than 5%-10% of the organ's weight, you may have fatty liver disease. If you're a drinker, stop.

Though it is not always clear what causes non-alcoholic fatty liver disease it does tend to run in families and is definitely more common in those who are middle-aged and overweight or obese. Often there is associated high cholesterol and diabetes as well.

Insulin resistance

Having too much glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream is highly toxic and can lead to the pancreas, which produces insulin in response to eating sugar/carbs, not working as it should. Did you know that most people are pre-diabetic 9-11 years before they are diagnosed with Diabetes? Insulin resistance is seen as a stepping stone to diseases like Type II Diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Insulin resistance sustained over a long period of time can even lead to…

Cancer

Cancer is characterized by the uncontrolled growth and multiplication of cells and insulin is one of the key hormones in regulating cellular growth. Excess sugar contributes to the improper function of the pancreas and affects the insulin response. If the pancreas is not working correctly, it may not be able to regulate cellular growth, possibly leading to cancer.

It can lead to overeating

Since the calories from sugar are considered “empty calories” and do not leave you feeling full, this may lead to you eating more food to feel satisfied, on top of the sugar you previously consumed. Plus sugar activates the brain to call for even more carbs and sugar-laden foods to keep the addiction fed.

Sugar is highly addictive

Dopamine is a chemical in your brain that is associated with pleasure and reward. Since eating sugar causes a large dopamine release in your brain, it makes it easy for people to become addicted to sugar. There have been studies done that have analyzed the effects of sugar and cocaine on the brain, and the results have shown that the same part of the brain lights up when consuming either one.

Plain and simple, sugar of all kinds is detrimental to your health. Cut back on sugar and carbs each and every day. It can save you from damage to your teeth, your liver - even your life.