Reasons to Stop Using Table Sugar

Before we discuss the reasons for avoiding table sugar, let's us explain what sugar is.

First, sugar is a carbohydrate. Second, it is also called sucrose and it has three components: carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Third, we need to make a distinction between sugar that naturally occurs in fruit – called fructose – and the one that is found in confectioner's sugar or HFCS (high fructose corn syrup).

HFCS is often used by food manufacturers to sweeten products. Both granulated sugar and corn syrup are refined, which means they go through a manufacturing process. Hence, they have earned the reputation of being "empty calories" because they offer no nutritional value.

If you feel as if you are addicted to sugar, this could be a sign of an underlying health problem. If you are unable to go about your daily routine without sugar, you could be suffering from high blood sugar which, in turn, could lead to diabetes.

Why avoid table sugar?

It would be too simplistic to say "because it is good for your health." It might be better to think of it in terms of why "table sugar is bad for your health."

Excessive consumption of table sugar could disrupt healthy levels of blood sugar. When your blood sugar is too high, you could be at risk for diabetes. While diabetes can be controlled through medication, diet and exercise, it usually generates health complications like poor vision, problematic feet and unexplained fatigue.

Sugar produces the desire to binge. Have you ever felt the urgent need for that cookie or chocolate bar? It could be due to genetics or to a eating disorder, especially when these cravings are more frequent than usual. The University of Toronto conducted research to find out why some people are more prone to craving sweets and they found that it is because of a gene called GLUT2 which causes some people to habitually consume more sugar than others.

Too much sugar can be the hidden cause of a bad complexion or generally unhealthy skin. When excess amounts of sugar are not efficiently expelled by the body, these sugars can trigger the growth of bacteria that attack skin.

Sugar contributes to obesity. You may notice that people with weight problems are usually those who have a fondness for sweet foods. If you are already overweight and you do not stop your consumption of table sugar, you could go from being overweight to obese

Some experts also believe that too much sugar can cause blurred vision, particularly in people who have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Let's not forget a common outcome of over-consumption of sugar: cavities! Brushing one's teeth does not take out all of the food particles that get lodged in between our teeth. This is the main reason why dentists strongly recommend flossing twice a day. When food is stuck in between teeth, the mouth becomes a breeding ground for bacteria that can "eat" into teeth enamel and attack our gums.

Too much table sugar can trigger an adrenalin rush. People who suffer from anxiety and panic attacks are especially vulnerable to an adrenalin rush.

Insomnia is another reason why table sugar should be avoided. Sugar is a stimulant, just like coffee and chocolate; when the body cannot expel excess sugar, it can over- stimulate you and rob you of needed sleep.

If you are the type who frequently has water retention, avoid using table sugar. It is the sugar that feeds the yeasts in your body giving you that bloated feeling.

While there is no direct link between sugar and depression, sugar has been indirectly linked to mild and moderate bouts with depression. Given that white sugar is addictive, it can raise insulin levels. As it raises insulin levels, it can also raise endorphin levels in the brain. The rise in endorphins provokes a "high", where a person's mood is apt to change. However, when endorphin levels are raised too frequently, it causes the brain to stop production so it can regulate endorphin levels. When the body does not have sufficient endorphins, it can lead to mild or moderate depression.

Too much table sugar can contribute to osteoporosis; or if one already has osteoporosis, sugar can make it worse. Soft drinks, for example, are sources of sugar. When a person drinks too much soda, the body's calcium supply gets depleted. What happens when the body lacks calcium? The answer is simple: weak bones and teeth!

There are many benefits to cutting sugar out of your daily diet. A few of the problems that are accociated with sugar are bad teeth, insomnia, and diabetes. Diabetes is a disease that can be deadly if not treated properly. The best way to avoid these health problems is to reduce your sugar intake or begin using sugar substitutes that are available.

Source : articlesbase