Sugar is found in nearly every food we’d love to eat. Different amounts are normally added to give or enhance flavor of our favorite foods or drinks. But, did you know that there are several types of sugar? It found in fruits is different from that found in those canned or bottled beverages. However, there is this one thing these types of them have in common, which is: they shouldn’t be consumed excessively.
Serious Diesease Caused by Sugar
Sugar is a form of carbohydrate which is a source of calorie for human. We do need carbohydrate for our body to function properly. But when we already have too much of it, sugar will end up causing various health problems. One problem we’ve known since we were kids is tooth decay. When coming into contact with our teeth surface, it from sweet drink or food will attract bacteria to form plaque that will eventually lead to tooth enamel damages and cavities. Other sugar-related health issues include increasing risks of obesity, type-2 diabetes, and coronary heart disease.
Additionally sugar, especially simple sugar or sucrose that’s usually added to store-bought foods and drinks, will be broken down into glucose and fructose which may cause blood sugar spike. Glucose will be metabolized to produce energy. However, it will then cause our blood sugar to drop drastically and put us on what we know as mood swing. The sudden changes will make us feel sad, weak, hungry, and crave for more sweets. This definitely isn’t a good thing if we’re watching our body weight and looking forward to staying healthy.
So no matter how difficult it is, lowering sugar intake is a measure to be taken for the sake of our own wellbeing. We can still fulfill our carbohydrate needs by replacing sugar with something friendlier, like dietary fiber. Not only is it better for our digestive system, high fiber consumption also helps stabilize blood sugar levels. This will help our body to slowly release energy and help us stay energized throughout the day. Plus fiber will keep us fuller longer, so we can control our appetite more easily.
Referensi:
Mekonnen, T.A., Odden, M.C., Coxson, P.G., Guzman, D., Lightwood, J., Wang, C., Bibbins-Domingo, K. 2013. Health Benefits of Reducing Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Intake in High Risk Populations of California: Results from the Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Policy Model. Plos one 8 (2).
Halas, Melissa. (2015). Fiber, Sugar & Carbohydrates – How Do They Relate to Each Other?.Type2Diabetes.Retrieved May 20, 2020, from https://type2diabetes.com/nutrition/fiber-sugar-carbohydrates-how-do-they-relate-to-each-other/
