The human body is designed to breakdown complex carbohydrates found in whole grains and fresh fruit and vegetables into glucose. This glucose then slowly releases into the bloodstream while absorbing the vital nutrients from them.  Glucose the sugar that fuels the body, needs insulin which is released from the pancreas, to do its job.  Feeding the body with the correct foods will allow the gradual release of glucose with small amounts of insulin, into the bloodstream.  This process keeps the body running smoothly, with energy levels stable and mind and body feeling balanced and nourished.  When we eat the wrong foods, processed foods and sugar, it sends the body into overdrive. Glucose instantly floods the bloodstream, sending the pancreas into a panic to produce enough insulin to handle the excess.  This momentarily creates a blood sugar “high” glucose that is eventually moped up by the insulin, leaving the body worn out, tired and depleted.  The sugar “low” then sets in, and it’s time to eat again. Eventually with this ongoing consumption of sugar the body becomes sluggish unable to cope, the brain becomes less efficient memory is impaired and the inevitable slide of ill health begins.

Reasons Why Sugar Is Bad for Your Health?

*Sugar increases the risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Obesity, diabetes & heart disease is a complex problem with multiple causes. But among the likely suspects, sugar is high on the list. As sugar consumption has increased, so too has our national waistline.

If you’re concerned about protecting your health and your heart, you might want to take a closer look at the sweet stuff in your life.

The average person eats a whopping 20 teaspoons of sugar every day, according to  Heart Association’s recommendation an average of 6 teaspoons per day for women and 9 per day for men is enough.

*Your immune function can be affected by sugar.

Eating or drinking too much sugar curbs immune system cells that attack bacteria. This effect lasts for at least a few hours after downing a couple of sugary drinks. Eat more fruits and vegetables, which are rich in nutrients like vitamins C and E, plus beta-carotene and zinc.

*Sugar accelerates aging.

Sugar consumption can certainly play a role in the development of wrinkles and sagging skin, but its influence may be slight compared to the effects of other environmental factors and of aging itself.

It is true, however, that diets high in sugar can damage elastin and collagen molecules in the skin, increasing wrinkles and sagging. Research has shown that advanced glycation end products (AGEs), a class of compounds resulting from combinations of sugars and proteins, can accelerate the effects of aging. These form whenever blood sugar is high, mostly from overconsumption of quick-digesting carbohydrates, including sweeteners and refined starches (flour). Most Americans consume far too much sugar – an average of 22 teaspoons per day, mostly from sodas and other sweet drinks, baked goods, candy, and ready-to-eat cereals. Limiting sugar intake to 10 percent of daily calories may help keep your skin looking younger longer. It also can help you control your weight and improve your general health; research has linked diets high in sugar to fatal heart attacks as well as high blood pressure, low HDL (“good”) cholesterol, increased triglycerides and fatty liver.

*Sugar causes tooth decay.

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NICDR), the mouth is full of hundreds of bacteria, many of which are beneficial to the oral ecosystem. However, certain harmful oral bacteria actually feed on the sugars you eat to create acids that destroy the tooth enamel, which is the shiny, protective outer layer of the tooth. Cavities are a bacterial infection created by acids, that cause your teeth to experience a hole in them. Without treatment, cavities can progress past the enamel and into the deeper layers of the tooth, causing pain and possible tooth loss.

*Sugar increases stress.

If you want to reduce stress, sugar is one of the first ingredients to cut out of your diet. When you’re stressed, the body releases more cortisol, a hormone responsible for helping us manage both stress and blood sugar levels. That’s because when you eat sugary foods, blood sugar levels spike, and the body must release more cortisol to balance blood sugar. The problem is that increased cortisol can also cause sleep issues, decreased immune response, headaches, and unhealthy food cravings. Additionally, rapidly fluctuating blood sugar levels cause feelings that are similar to stress, including anxiousness and fear.

By eliminating foods with added sugars—like pastries, flavored yogurt, and soda—and eating more whole foods, you’ll keep your blood sugar stable, which means fewer mood swings, reduced stress, and a happier body.