Sugar is added to a variety of food to add flavor, reserve the ledge life and achieve desired texture. However, eating excess sugar can have too many negative impacts. Increased consumption of sugar has raised a controversial debate among scholars particularly in the discipline of health sciences, nursing, and nutrition. Interestingly, added sugar had been the center of the focus on detrimental health consequences of sugar in human bodies. The metabolism of monosaccharides primarily fructose and sucrose mark the key issue revolving around sugar and its adverse health effects. In this research paper, significant health risks and illnesses such as obesity, diabetes, liver diseases, heart diseases, and the Mets have been addressed. The following are the reasons that make sugar detrimental to our health
Sugar leads to an increase in weight
Obesity arises from eating much sugar especially from sugar-sweetened beverages such as sodas, juices, sweet tea that are loaded with fructose. Obesity puts individuals at a higher risk of severe diseases such as heart diseases, cancer, and type two diabetes. Excessive fructose in the body causes resistance to leptin a critical hormone that regulates hunger. In this case, sugary beverages do not curb hunger and as a result, making it easy to consume a higher number of liquid calories quickly. More calories in the body trigger obesity.
Relatively, one teaspoon of sugar comprises of fifteen calories to regular caloric intake. Over time the extra calories cause an unhealthy gain in weight. Particularly beverages such as soda do not source good quantities of protein or fiber meaning that they do not satisfy an individual hunger. This makes it more possible to overeating that eventually increases the overall calorie intakes and as a resulting leading to gain in weight.
Sugar increase the risk of heart disease
Much sugar consumption can lead to an increased rate of heart disease. This is triggered by inflammation and higher triglyceride blood sugar and blood pressure levels. Moreover, much sugar is associated with atherosclerosis an illness categorized by fatty, and artery-clogging deposits. According to a research carried out over thirty thousand people who consumed 17-21% of calories from added sugar had a higher risk of dying from heart disease ratio to individuals consuming only 8% (Rippe, James, and Theodore 697).
The higher amount of sugar raises blood pressure. The pressure causes damages of arteries when calories from sugary consumed foods enter to the bloodstream, they collect on the damage arteries causing the artery wall to become less elastic and as a result limiting the flow of blood in the body. Over time the persistent pressure of blood affecting through a debilitated artery causes a section of its wall to expand and form a swell causing a lifetime threatening which increases the rate of heart disease.
In her study, Corliss identified that people who take more than 25% calories as sugar have almost twice the likelihood of dying from heart diseases as compared to those who make fewer sugars. Based on her studies, people who have a high consumption of added sugar are likely to die of heart diseases as compared to those whose diet comprises less than 10% of the added sugar. Additionally, sugar-sweetened foods are likely to cause dumping of harmful fats into the bloodstream which would lead to blood pressure besides clogging the blood vessels.
Excessive sugar intake can impact energy-regulating hormones
In their studies, Rippe, James M and Theodore pointed out that excess glucose and fructose in the body can interfere with the normal functioning of the energy-regulating hormones. It can also lead to the suppression of plasma-ghrelin concentration, and a lower frequency of insulin in the body. The effects are more pronounced in obese people as compared to people with healthy weights. Besides, overweight people who consume high amounts of monosaccharides such as fructose and glucose are at high risk of having increased TG concentration, which consequently causes an imbalance of energy-regulating hormones.
Increases risks of cancer
Diets rich in sugar triggers obesity which significantly increases the risk of cancer. Much sugar increases inflammation in the body and as a result, leads to insulin resistance both of which increases the risk of cancer. Additionally, added sugar consumption is associated with a higher increased risk of esophageal cancer, pleural cancer, and cancer of small intestine (Rippe, James, and Theodore 22). Further depletion of cookies, and sweet buns more than three times per week increases the chances of developing endometrial cancer.
Sugar basically feeds tumors and inspires the growth of cancer. Cancer cells consume sugar at 10-12 times the rate of healthy cells. When an individual absorbs sweet water, it gets specially taken up into the cancer cells, and they light up. Cancer cells love sugar, and this is the reason why, advanced carbohydrates such as white sugar, higher fructose corn syrup, and soft drinks are incredibly harmful to anyone attempting to prevent or inverse cancer. Additionally, cancer thrives in an acidic environment. Sugar has a pH of about 6.4, ten times more than the model alkaline Ph of blood at 7.4. This indicates that sugar is highly acidic and therefore, a better environment for cancer. Further, a higher level of sugar consumption triggers the pancreases to release insulin. The breast tissue has insulin receptors which are a powerful stimulant of cell growth. In this case, a higher level of insulin and insulin-like growth factor may lead to breast cancer or prostate cancer.
a higher level of sugar consumption causes tooth decay
Nutrient-dense food such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains supplies minerals and vitamin to health and gums. Much consumption of foods rich in sugar does not satisfy these types of nutrients and also negatively impact oral health (Rippe, James, and Theodore). Plaque bacteria which is logically present in the mouth react to the consumed sugars by creating acids. The acid damages the defensive enamel on teeth which eventually causes cavities and decay.
Tooth decay takes place when acid from within the mouth savage the enamel and dentine of the teeth that eventually lead to holes or cavities. Sugar in foods and drinks plays a significant part in the expansion of dental caries. The available bacteria on the plaque use sugar as liveliness and produce acid as a waste product which progressively liquifies the enamel in the teeth. On a study carried out in 2010 by world health organization, demonstrated reliable evidence of reasonable quality seconding a nassociation between the amount of sugar disbursed and the dental carries development. The progress of dental caries with the age and the effect of sugar indentation are long-life.
Further, the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) report a clear association between sugar-containing food and sugar-containing beverages and the frequency of dental caries both in deciduous and permeant teeth. Higher consumption of sugar was found to be allied with a higher prevalence of dental caries. Free sugar is almost available in all food and is the most significant influence in oral health worsening. Specifically, it is challenging for offspring who have become familiarized to sugar at a primary age. Everyone is at danger of tooth decay, but adolescents and children are the ones who are at a higher risk (Rippe, James, and Theodore). Higher consumption of sugars has a higher risk of causing dental caries, specifically if the food taken is gummy or consumed in between mealtimes.
Much sugar overloads and damages the liver.
All the fructose taken, get shuttled to the only organ that has the transporter for it. The added sugar comprises of pure sugar which is glucose and fructose. Much sugar severely overloads the organ and as a result leading to severe liver damage (Rippe, James, and Theodore). The damaged liver also suffers from a condition known as a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease which promotes resistant of insulin, fatty liver and dyslipidemia. Recent scientific study points that excessive consumption of fructose requires a high amount of fiber in the body to be maintained at standard state. However, when individuals have a high intake of fructose and low fiber intake, it can cause liver damage since it is processed in the liver.
In other cases, excessive sugar in the body was reported to be the major contributor of fatty infiltration of the liver which eventually leads to NAFLD. NAFLD together with continuous consumption of fructose-containing sugars eventually leads to chronic liver failure. The interactions between some crucial components of the diet and fructose play a significant role in increasing the fats in the liver. To some extent, such an increase in the fats in the liver inhibits the function of amino acid in regulating the intrahepatic lipid concentration.
Sugar is half glucose and half fructose. The liver in any significant amount can only metabolize fructose. When a lot of refined sugar gets to the health of an individual, the liver receives flooded with fructose, and it is forced to turn excess sugar into fat which eventually leads to increase of belly fat and liver fat. This makes the insulin to be resistant and holds a metabolic problem. Additionally, much fatty builds up caused by sugar accumulation can lead to liver disease. According to various studies, sugar can damage the liver just like alcohol even if a person is not overweight.
Increase the risk of diabetes
Although consumption of sugar is not directly related to either type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, excessive use can cause illnesses that increase the risk of developing diabetes. For example, too much sugar in the body can cause obesity, which is directly linked to diabetes. Additionally, eating sugar while one is suffering from diabetes cause sugar imbalance in the body making the condition worse since insulin fails to regulate the sugar in the body.
Excess consumption of sugar causes the gain of weight which causes obesity and as a result upsurges the risk of diabetes (Taubes 37). If an individual has diabetes, consuming too much sugar can make signs worse since diabetes makes it harder for the body to accomplish the level of sugar. After consumption of sucrose, fructose, and glucose molecules, the enzymes in small intestine separate them before being absorbed into the bloodstream. This set signal to the pancreas to release insulin to shuttle glucose out of blood where it can be metabolized for energy. Since fructose cannot be converted to fat, higher intake increases triglyceride levels which increase the rate of heart disease as well as the risk of diabetes.
Sugar and risk of Mets
Factors such as dyslipidemia, abnormal glucose, and high blood pressure comprise Mets. Studies have established a close link between fructose-containing sugars and risk of Mets. Excessive fructose in the body can also lead to increased uric acid and the depletion of ATP or its degradation to AMP. Even, it can increase insulin resistance, endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and increased blood pressure. Other factors that work in conjunction with fructose-containing sugar to increase risks of Mets include increases in abdominal fats.
Negatively affects the brain
A higher level of sugar consumption can have a drug-like effect on the mind and can lead to sugar addiction. The drug-like effects in sugar are related to those caused by addictive drugs. The addictions effect comprises of cravings and loss of self-control. Further, a higher level of sugar consumption impairs the cognitive function of an individual that disrupt the normal functioning of the brain (Rippe, James, and Theodore 697). Further, sugar consumption leads to dementia which is a complex illness. In this case, physiological and nutritional elements may play a significant role in the development of a particular form of dementia. For instance, Alzheimer may take place due to the accumulation of beta-amyloid proteins in the brain which disrupts its normal function. The model’s dementia develops due to excess sugar consumption that causes reaction of insulin that increases deposits of beta-amyloid proteins and increases the risk of developing dementia.
Affects the immune system of an individual
Since bacteria and yeast feed on sugar, a higher level of sugar consumption causes these organisms to increase and cause infection and therefore, interfering with the way the body fights against diseases.
Conclusion
Excessive consumption of sugar has been related to adverse health issues such as imbalanced regulation of energy hormones, obesity, heart diseases, liver diseases, Mets and cancer. In almost all cases, monosaccharides such as fructose and sucrose have been associated with adverse health consequences. For example, unhealthy eating habits such as excessive consumption of beverages and lower use of fiber foods cause liver diseases as the fructose are processed in the liver. Also, it can cause clogging of blood verse and cardiovascular diseases and weakening of arteries. Excessive sugar in the body is also connected with the suppression of plasma-ghrelin concentration which exposes the victims to other health risks such as increase TG concentration and imbalanced energy-regulating hormones. Other adverse effects that have been linked to sugar in the body include obesity and overweight. Both of these factors are health risks to diabetes, which has been among the leading causes of mortality in the US and other developed countries. Although not directly linked to cancer, sugar has been associated with factors that cause and accelerate the cancer incidences in the country. To overcome the health challenges posed by, it is essential to consume well-balanced diets with more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Also, people should have adequate water intake and fiber while taking low sugar-added foods.
Works Cited
Corliss, Julie. "Eating Too Much Added Sugar Increases the Risk of Dying with Heart Disease - Harvard Health Blog." Harvard Health Blog, 2014, https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/eating-too-much-added-sugar-increases-the-risk-of-dying-with-heart-disease-201402067021. Accessed 6 Dec 2018.
Rippe, James M and Theodore J Angelopoulos. "Added sugars and risk factors for obesity, diabetes and heart disease." International Journal of Obesity 40.S1 (2016): S22.
Rippe, James M and Theodore J Angelopoulos. “Sugars and Health Controversies: What Does the Science Say?” Advances in Nutrition vol. 6,4 493S–503S. 7 Jul. 2015, doi:10.3945/an.114.007195
Rippe, James, and Theodore Angelopoulos. "Relationship between added sugars consumption and chronic disease risk factors: current understanding." Nutrients 8.11 (2016): 697.
Taubes, Gary. The case against sugar. Anchor Books, 2017.
