As a society, we are addicted to refined sugar which leads to many health problems. Sugar is toxic to the body! In his article, Chris Kresser has put together a great resource for information on the dangers of refined sugar.
Why Sugar is Toxic to the Body?
- Sugar feeds cancer cells and has been connected with the development of cancer of the breast, ovaries, prostate, rectum, pancreas, lung, gallbladder and stomach.
- Sugar can increase fasting levels of glucose and can cause reactive hypoglycemia.
- Sugar can cause many problems with the gastrointestinal tract, including an acidic digestive tract, indigestion, malabsorption in patients with functional bowel disease, increased risk of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
- Sugar can interfere with your absorption of protein.
- Sugar can cause food allergies.
- Sugar contributes to weight gain and obesity
What’s in sugar?
White table sugar (sucrose) is composed of two sugars: glucose and fructose. Glucose is an important nutrient in our bodies and is healthy, as long as it’s consumed in moderation.
Fructose is found primarily in fruits and vegetables, and sweeteners like sugar and high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Naturally occurring fructose is not an essential nutrient, like glucose, but when consumed in the form of whole foods it is easily handled by the body.
Refined sugar is particularly problematic because it tends to promote unintentional overeating. Studies have shown that people that consume a lot of refined sugar do not tend to compensate by reducing calories elsewhere in the diet. This doesn’t happen with fruit or other whole foods that contain glucose or fructose. When people add fruit to their diet, they reduce their calorie intake elsewhere to compensate.
I guess that pretty much summarizes why you should avoid refined sugar. Trust me, I know it’s not an easy habit to kick, but it is definitely possible.
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