The Complex Web of Sugar and its Impact on Our Health
Sugar has been labeled a monster in the diet world, especially when it comes to health. We must confess that the sweetness of sugar is irresistible but then its impact on the body and the brain cannot be overlooked. Sugar is very important for the creation of our body energy (ATP), as well as providing energy for the brain keeping the brain active but then, it has been associated with certain conditions like Obesity. So what do we will be discussing what happens when with high intake of sugar into our system.
People who are obese and try to minimize their sugar intake will realize that their face start to become slimmer (reduced facial fat) from the rounder puffier shape, to a more slimmer and oval shape. The body starts to eliminate stored fat in the body as source of fuel, and this starts with the liver. You see, when you consume sugar and fat together, the body prefers to burn sugar over fat, but when sugar isn't readily available, the body begins to burn the fat stored in areas live the liver, and the subcutaneous region of the skin.
Still on fat, sugar has been associated with increase accumulation of belly fat. Study showed that consumption of fructose beverages increases visceral adiposity and lipids in the body while decreasing insulin sensitivity in people who are obese.
That said, scientists from the Leiden University Medical Centre, in the Netherlands, conducted a study where they measured the blood sugar levels of 600 men and women aged between 50 and 70, after which they showed the photographs of these people to 60 separate participants where they came to a conclusion that people with higher blood sugar looked older than those with lower blood sugar.
When people consume lots of sugar, it tells in their eyes as high sugar level can lead to changes in the lens shape in the short term, which can lead to clouded vision. People who suffer from diabetes can have associated health conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. With diabetic retinopathy, the retina is destroyed but with quitting sugar, cases of short term lens changes can be rectified. High intake of sugar is associated with increased oxidative stress which can damage cells and tissues which includes the eye. Oxidative stress is associated with certain eye conditions like Cataract, Macular Edema, and dry eye syndrome.
Food with high Glycemic Index such as Sugar has been associated with acne in the body. A study of 43 australian men with Acne between the age of 15 to 25 years old who switched to low-glycemic diets with 12 weeks had reduced acne in their body compare to those who ate normal diet within the 12 weeks. While this study shows effect on a small number of people, it doesn't mean it isn't valid as there have been other research on the topic with strong evidence.
You must have heard that people who consume lots of sugar are at a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It is not that sugar directly cause type 2 diabetes, but it is linked with high risk of getting overweight, which can lead to negative effects on the liver. While you might be looking at sugar and its risk of developing type 2 diabetes, it has also been studied that high sugar intake, increases the risk of developing certain types of cancers such as Breast and Colon Cancer.
When it comes to teeth health, sugar isn't the best of friends. While we can refer to sugar (sucrose) or refined sugar as a bad example of empty calories since it has no nutritional value, it is also bad for our teeth. Studies show that sugar destroy the healthy bacteria in the mouth leading to tooth erosion.
In the pursuit of a balanced and health-conscious lifestyle, understanding the intricate relationship between sugar and our well-being becomes paramount. While the allure of sweetness persists, mindful consumption emerges as a crucial strategy for maintaining both physical and dental health in the face of sugar's complex effects.
Post Reference
https://www.liverdoctor.com/did-you-know-your-face-can-reveal-high-blood-sugar
https://www.simplysupplements.co.uk/healthylife/health-and-beauty/the-ageing-effects-of-sugar-on-skin
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jaam/8/3/8_3_23/_article/-char/ja/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22102339
https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/86/4/1225/4649573
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/causes/diet
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17448569/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3257617/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8971946/
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0306987783900956
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19248858/
https://www.jci.org/articles/view/37385
https://aacrjournals.org/cebp/article/6/9/677/154254/Dietary-sugar-and-colon-cancer
https://ajcn.nutrition.org/article/S0002-9165(22)03408-6/fulltext
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