A little sugar never hurt anybody, right?
When we are tempted by sugary sweets and sweetened drinks such as soda, ice cream, biscuits, chocolates, and the like, we find ourselves making the argument that indulging in one would not hurt us. After all, just how damaging can one slice of cake be?
Unfortunately, it turns out, a slice of cake can be indeed damaging. This is because many of us are not just indulging occasionally but are actively gorging ourselves with food items containing sugar, particularly refined sugars that contain fructose. Research has shown that ingestion of sugar causes the brain to produce huge surges of dopamine which is similar to the way our brain reacts to the ingestion of illegal substances such as heroin and cocaine. As a result, we adapt to the addictive feeling of eating food high in sugar and calories leading us to consume even more sugar.
However, unlike any other food we ingest that stimulates our appetite hormones, fructose goes undetected. As a result, we can go through a lot of sugary treats without even feeling full. Needless to say, diets high in refined sugar can cause health issues and even debilitating diseases. To mitigate this, you may want to reduce your sugar intake or give it up altogether. Below are just some of the fantastic health benefits of doing so:
1.) Higher energy levels
Having an excess of refined sugar in our system can affect us in a myriad of ways, but one of the most noticeable effects is the one it has on our brains. More often than not, diets with an overabundance of refined sugar can lead to cravings, mood swings, and that energy crash that renders many of us feeling lethargic until we get more of our sugar fix to get going again.
More importantly, this can lead to sugar addiction owing to its mood-enhancing qualities. As said above, sugar prompts our brains to release serotonin and dopamine—both of which are happy hormones. As a result, we continually seek out similar foods that stimulate these euphoric emotions again and again. Cutting out sugar and having a healthy diet go a long way in increasing energy levels. Also, it helps in improving your memory which allows you to concentrate clearly.
2.) Better sleep
Studies have shown that high sugar consumption has been linked to depression and other mental illnesses. While sugar itself is not the primary cause, excessive amounts of it can impair your ability to manage stress. Cutting down or completely eliminating sugar mitigates the symptoms of these conditions and can improve your mood. Also, cutting sugar has been shown to decrease anxiety and agitation.
Also, it is worth noting that sugar ingestion before bed leads to lower blood sugar levels and night sweats. Apart from that, it charges your stress hormones which leads to a poorer quality of sleep. That said, give up sugar, and you will notice how you can sleep so much better within just a few days.
3.) Weight loss
Ingesting more sugar than necessary leads your body to produce more insulin. This prohibits the body from using fat as fuel and would then convert the excess sugar into fat leading to weight gain. By reducing sugar or cutting it out completely, your insulin levels are stabilized and at an optimal level which can improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Giving up sugar also means eliminating processed foods from your diet. In this way, you can naturally gravitate towards healthier foods full of nutrients that are beneficial to the body. These are the kinds of food that will keep you satisfied longer and reduce your compulsion to snack on sugary treats.
4.) Stronger Immune System
Our immune system requires Vitamin C to function properly, and along with that, it also needs white blood cells to fight infection. Sugar is broken down into glucose which has a similar chemical structure to Vitamin C. If you eat too much sugar, your body confuses glucose for Vitamin C and grabs it instead. As a result, your immune system’s ability to fight is diminished, which can potentially lead to the spread of infection. By reducing or cutting out sugar completely, you can improve your immune system and lessen your risk of chronic inflammation. In this way, your body is better equipped to fight infections which include colds and the flu.
5.) Better overall health
As said above, consuming large quantities of refined sugar on a regular basis can lead to a variety of diseases which includes but are not limited to heart diseases, Type 2 diabetes, and even more severe health concerns such as the development of cancer.
Indeed, giving up sugar may be a challenging endeavor. However, the good news is that by giving it up, you can avoid the potential harm and diseases it brings. If you wish to commit to a completely sugar-free, go beyond just the food you ingest and include zero sugar supplements in your diet as well. Our gummies are safe, tasty, and completely sugar-free while ensuring you still get maximum health benefits. In that way, you can get all the supplemental nutrients you need without the additional sugar.