The Truth about Sugar

Sugar has an effect on the body that shows it’s actually less a treat than it is a train wreck. The damage caused by overconsumption of sugar is extensive, and cloaking it with flavor doesn’t remove its negative effects.

 

WHAT LIES BENEATH THE SKIN

Your internal organs are affected by everything you consume. Most Americans know that our cardiovascular health is affected by sugar intake, especially when you consume large quantities.

An overconsumption of sugar can cause kidney damage and kidney failure. The job of your kidneys is to filter waste in your blood, and when you develop diabetes it damages the organ’s ability to release excess sugar into your urine.

There is a long list of functions that become impaired by too much sugar. You risk the onset of high blood pressure, inflammation, and high cholesterol, among other conditions.

 

BEHIND THE MASK

Issues such as obesity make it easy to see the effects of sugar on your body. You may not be aware, however, that sugar also has an impact on your mind.

When you eat something sweetened, your body gets a surge of dopamine, sometimes called the “feel-good chemical”. This is why you typically get more pleasure eating a candy bar than a meal of boiled vegetables.

It goes beyond sensory satisfaction, however. When you eat sugary foods, you can experience mood changes that you may or may not notice. Consuming sugar causes a spike in your blood sugar levels, which later crash, and that process can cause anxiety.

 

Choose Trick Over Treat

Not all sugar is bad for you, but even from childhood, most Americans would rather grab a candy bar than an apple. Natural sugar that’s found in fruit and vegetables is lower in sodium and higher in water than the sugar in processed foods. Not only that, they contain the vitamins and minerals you need.

 

Pay attention to what you consume and improve your diet by avoiding processed foods. There are few who would choose pumpkin over pumpkin pie, but there are many natural sources of sugar you can substitute for a second helping of dessert.

 

Dr. Brian Augustine of Augustine Chiropractic in Wesley Chapel, FL, has over 31 years of experience treating patients for their neck pain and other ailments through personalized chiropractic care treatments. The locally owned and operated chiropractic clinic offers both in-office treatments and at-home therapy regimens to help people recover and heal from auto injuries and other conditions. The staff is dedicated to providing alternative and therapeutic solutions for better overall health. Give them a call today at (813) 994-6008 to schedule an appointment or visit their website to learn more about their services!