In the last 20 years, we have increased sugar consumption in the U.S. from 26 pounds to 135 lbs. of sugar per person per year! That breaks down to 2-3 lbs of sugar each week. What is all of this sugar doing to our bodies?
Sugar has been shown to...
* Reduce tissue elasticity and contributes to saggy skin, thus leading to premature aging
* Contribute to breast cancer, rectal cancer, and ovarian cancer, along with feeding cancer cells
* Exacerbate adrenal dysfunction
* Impair the structure of DNA
* Increase blood pressure
* Increase allergies
* Increase eczema and makes other skin conditions worse
* Contribute to cataracts
* Increase fluid retention and bloating
* Cause constipation and increases risk of Gastric Cancer
* Cause migraines
* Contribute to depression symptoms and increases antisocial behavior in children
* Contributes to Alzheimer's Disease
* Increase Estrogen in Men
* Make PMS worse along with worsening problems like endometriosis
* Slow down the immune system
An influx of sugar into the bloodstream upsets the body's blood-sugar balance, triggering the release of insulin, which the body uses to keep blood-sugar at a constant and safe level. Insulin also promotes the storage of fat, so that when you eat sweets high in sugar, you're making way for rapid weight gain and elevated triglyceride levels, both of which have been linked to cardiovascular disease.
It has been shown that glucose and vitamin C have similar chemical structures, so what happens when the sugar levels go up? They compete with one another upon entering the cells. It doesn't take much: a blood sugar value of 120 reduces the phagocytic index by 75%. So when you eat sugar, think of your immune system slowing down to a crawl.
The sugars found in fruits/vegetables are balanced with vitamins and fiber to slow the glucose absorption. Unlike refined sugars, which are void of minerals, vitamins and draw upon the body's nutrient stores to be metabolized.