Doctors are now linking disease to high sugar intake. So just imagine how many teaspoons are contained in a Mars Bar? 8! Professor Simon Capewell of the University of Liverpool is recently quoted as saying ‘sugar is the ‘new tobacco’ because it is so addictive. And if you like Starbucks Caramel Frappuccinos with whipped cream, think twice before you have your next one. There are 11 teaspoons of sugar in one of these drinks! ### Cut down on sugar Recent research has found that doctors are recommending that we cut down our sugar levels by as much as 30%, as eating excessive amounts of sugar contributes to the onset of diabetes and also obesity. While these conditions are said to cost the UK billions of £s annually, what about the personal cost for individuals who suffer from these conditions? What about the upset and heartache for those who are overweight and who have eaten too much sugar?
Rachel Ricketts has consulted over 4,000 people, working with them individually to help them lose their weight once and for all and getting them out of the vicious trap of eating a diet too high in sugar and carbs. Every day, Rachel sees, with her new clients, the impact and damage of sugar in one’s diet, in the end leading to the heartache of being overweight. She takes her clients through a whole process, step by step, helping them to break the habits that have caused them to have a weight problem.
Sugar has been considered as damaging as alcohol for the liver. Not all sugar that is eaten is used and what is left over is stored in the liver in the form of fatty tissue. If this builds up, it causes stress on the liver and may result in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. People who are not overweight can still suffer with this if they have a high sugar diet causing liver scarring, which can lead to cirrhosis which cannot be repaired. Cirrhosis is characterised by an inflammation, thickening and worsening of the state of liver tissue. The consumption of alcohol and sugar can contribute widely to liver disease.
How many times have we been told or heard just how bad sugar is for one’s teeth but it is always good to hear it again! Eating and drinking too much sugar is known to contribute to tooth decay; the longer sugar stays on the teeth, the more damage it can cause. Fruit contains a high level of sugar but is less harmful than processed sugar. Fruit sugars are released when juicing machines or blenders are used. Drinking lots of fruit juice can cause tooth decay as the sugar will coat the teeth.
Sugar really has nothing in it with nutritional value and feeds our bad mouth bacteria, all contributing to tooth decay. Sugar gives one a short burst of energy with no real sustainability. Apart from the obvious foods that contain sugar, many other foods also contain it, such as pastries, fruit pies, dried fruit, breakfast cereals, sauces such as tomato and brown sauce, energy drinks, honey, fruit juices, smoothies and yoghurt drinks. It is very much recommended that one should reduce the amount of sugar to help reduce the chances of tooth decay, as well as contributing to a more balanced diet and a healthy weight.
It is advisable to brush your teeth after meals as this will help to reduce the length of time sugar and food stay on the teeth. Flossing is also recommended.