Too much sugar can cause fatigue, abdominal pain and headaches, among other things. In addition, high sugar consumption can lead to obesity. Are you overweight? Then you are more likely to have type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Sugar and obesity: what about it exactly?
If you consume a lot of sugar, you quickly gain too much energy. Your body stores this energy as fat, which can lead to obesity. Currently, half of the adults in the Netherlands are overweight.
This is how your brain reacts to sugar
Sugar not only does something to your body, but also to your brain. Do you eat something that has a lot of sugar in it? Then you probably can't get enough of it. This is because your brain produces dopamine when you eat sugar. Dopamine is a substance that gives you a nice feeling. This nice feeling quickly makes you crave even more sweets.
Why do we ingest so much sugar?
Many manufacturers add sugar to our food and drink. Not only to soda and candy, but also to products you wouldn't expect, such as yogurt, pasta sauce and fruit juice. Because of these added sugars, you may be ingesting more sugar than you really want.
Is it better to stop eating sugar altogether?
It's not that you shouldn't eat sugar at all. After all, your body needs sugar because sugar gives energy. Sugars found in healthy products such as fruits and vegetables can be eaten without concern. The added sugars in unhealthy products such as soda, cookies and candy your body does not need. These kinds of products are better left out.
This article is based on information from the Diabetes Fund.
