The Sour Truth about Sugar

Sugar. A word sweet enough to make your mouth water. The word at the root of all our favourite things; sweets, chocolate, dessert wine… a word we’ve learned to crave. But we all know that too much of one thing can leave a bitter taste in our mouth. Knowledge is power and that’s especially true for food.

An important disclosure to make is that not all sugars are born the same. The four most common types are; glucose, fructose (fruit sugar), sucrose (table sugar) and lactose (dairy sugar). Despite their differences, ultimately too much of either one comes with risk.

More than anything, we know that health is wealth and we’re here to guide you towards that.  Here are a few reasons why a pinch of sugar should be more of common phrase than a pinch of salt. 

1.  May increase risks of Heart Disease.

Back in 2008, heart disease became the number one cause of death worldwide. Heart disease can be linked to several other factors, such as obesity, inflammation and high blood pressure. Too much sugar can lead to an amalgamation of these factors that may eventually lead to heart disease.

The recommended dosage according to the American Heart Association is 37.5 grams (9 teaspoons) for men and 25 grams (6 teaspoons) for women. However, the average intake in the 2008 study was 76.7 grams a day which is a whopping nineteen spoonfuls. 

2.  Increases risk of Type 2 Diabetes. 

According to many studies, excessive sugar consumption has been linked to diabetes. This is because sugar causes insulin levels to spike which is a hormone secreted by the pancreas to regulate these blood sugar levels. However, when too much sugar is consumed, it creates a resistance to insulin, which in turn drives the risk of Type 2 Diabetes. 

3.  Increases the risk of Depression. 

When people say ‘you are what you eat’, they’re not wrong. In 2015, The California Institute of Technology demonstrated that certain bacterias in the gut can stimulate intestinal cells to produce serotonin. The consumption of too much sugar can reduce the beneficial bacteria and over consumption causes the excess sugar to sit in the bowels, causing inflammation and a build up of gas.

So, if anybody tells you something is all in your head, it actually might just be in your gut. A happy gut is a happy mind.

So, when you go to add that extra teaspoon of sugar in your coffee, or you’re gazing longingly at that last scoop of ice cream, check in with yourself. Maybe pick up that natural energy drink sitting beside the soda cans. Think about that recommended 6 teaspoons and respect your gut more than your tastebuds. 

(All facts are found by The National Institutes of Health)