Sugar looks sweet, but it's not good for the body
This list of the top 3 reasons that sugar is not good for the body will provide motivation for avoiding it.
1. Sugar suppresses the immune system.
Research projects at Loma Linda University evaluated the effects of sugar on phagocytes, the white blood cells of the immune system that eat up harmful invaders. One study showed that sugar caused the phagocytic index to drop dramatically, creating a negative effect on the number of invaders that could be removed by the immune system. To put it simply, the more bacteria consumed by the phagocytes, the stronger the immune system, and the less chance for disease.
2. Sugar disrupts the mineral balance in a healthy body.
Calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, iron and zinc are crucial minerals the body needs to function properly. A shortage of just one of these minerals means the entire system can be thrown out of balance. Just two teaspoons of sugar can cause micronutrients in the body to change radically, creating a shift in blood chemistry. Some mineral levels increase, some decrease, and delicate ratios are disturbed. Even a little sugar can negate the effects of consuming extra calcium or other mineral supplements.
3. Sugar speeds up the aging process.
When sugar is consumed on a regular basis the pancreas can become over stimulated and secrete too much insulin. Excess insulin can cause a drop in normal blood sugar levels and hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, may develop. Symptoms of hypoglycemia can include fatigue, memory failure, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, tremors, headaches and depression. These may sound like diseases of the elderly, but more and more young people are noticing effects like this because they are consuming too much sugar.
Of course, it’s hard to avoid sugar in foods today. However, searching the Internet will reveal numerous products that are not loaded with refined sugar or high fructose corn syrup. Stevia is gaining notoriety as a sweetener that may actually be good for people. Among other benefits, stevia can help maintain normal blood sugar levels. So, there are ways to avoid over consumption of sugar, but it takes awareness. Watch out for high fructose corn syrup, dextrose and dextrin to avoid sugar in many of the foods that line the shelves of stores today.
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