Sugar may be sweet, but too much causes problems in our bodies. Scientists have done extensive research and have found that sugar not only can cause weight gain but a host of other problems as well.
In America the sugar we drink in sodas, sports drinks, etc. is our #1 source of added dietary sugar. One can of soda can have more sugar than should be consumed in a whole day. Below are a few other problems with too much sugar:
Empty calories- sugar provides no nutrients, so your body gets no benefits.
Diabetes- sugar doesn’t cause diabetes, but it can contribute to a high calorie diet which is a risk factor.
Cavities- the added sugar causes bacteria growth which can cause cavities.
Increased risk of heart disease- a high sugar diet can lead to obesity, inflammation, high triglycerides, and high blood pressure.
Consider the following tips to help you decrease your sugar intake:
Swap sweet drinks for water or unsweetened seltzer.
Eat a piece of fruit instead of a whole smoothie which often contains several servings of fruit.
Look for cereals with less than 5 grams of sugar per serving.
Instead of jelly, put a sliced banana on your peanut butter sandwich.
Keep a food diary which can help you determine where added sugar may be hiding.
Article Source: Mary Grider, Nutrition Educator