Consumption of sugar-rich food and beverages has become part and parcel of the lifestyle of almost every individual, regardless of the culture he or she is in or the country in which he or she is born.
Increased Level Of Sugar Consumption In Everyday
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From natural sugars present in milk and eggs to artificially made sweets and candies, sugary foods have surrounded the daily food habits of the common man, the world around.
However, lately, it has been widely recognized after much research by scientists and researchers that the increased level of sugar consumption in everyday lives is fast leading to overconsumption of sugar and in turn, contributing to unintentional weight gain and thus, posing risks of contracting numerous diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart diseases.
As such, it is important to understand how and why sugar causes unintentional weight gain and the need to limit its consumption for leading a healthy and happy life.
Sugar Intake And Weight Gain
Sugar is normally linked to unintentional weight gain because, just like other foods, it also contains calories and an excessive intake, more than what is required by the body, is bound to lead to fat accumulation and cause unintentional weight gains.
The reason why sugar is majorly blamed for such unintentional weight gains is that it is those types of foods and beverages which contain sugars, which a normal individual, once having consumed, crave for it again. The addictiveness caused by sugar leads to a greater intake of sugary foods which, in turn, leads to excess levels of calories inside the body, resulting in fat accumulation and consequent obesity and weight gain.
While the intake of sugary foods causes tremendous spikes in glucose levels in the blood for a certain period, making one feel energetic and happy, it drops rapidly, thus leaving the individual hungry and craving for eating more sugary food.
Why And How Sugar Causes Unintentional Weight Gain?
There are numerous reasons and ways, in which the added and increased sugar intake result in unintentional weight gains and obesity among the population and thereby posing the risk of catching numerous disease afflicting their body, as follows:
- Higher in Empty Calories
Sugars, whether be added sugars like sweeteners or natural sugars, are excessively high in empty calories, meaning that while they have high-calorie content, the amount of other nutrients is much less and as such, it provides no other benefit to the body except a short term energizing to the body. Regularly indulging in the consumption of sugar-rich food without also committing to equivalent levels of fat-burning exercises would eventually cause the weight to increase at faster levels.
- Negatively Impacts Blood Sugar and Hormone Levels
While it is to the knowledge of all that consumption of sugary food raises the sugar level in the blood, it is to be noted that regularly eating sugar-rich foods and beverages can cause chronically elevated blood sugar levels i.e. Hyperglycemia which is capable of causing serious harm to that individual’s body and also leads to severe weight gain by causing insulin resistance in the body.
- Sugar Rich foods tend to be less filling
Sugar-rich food, particularly foods and beverages with added sugar, tend to have lower levels of a much essential nutrient i.e. protein which is essential for controlling blood sugar and thereby generating a feeling of fullness of diet. As such, despite a huge intake of calories, the body feels empty and hungry and craves more and more food, leading to weight gain.
- Displacing healthy food and may cause overeating
Consumption of high levels of sugar, particularly those food and beverages rich in sugar, fructose, may lead to a tremendous increase in the hunger-promoting hormone, Ghrelin, and decrease the effectiveness of appetite-suppressing hormone Peptide. This, in turn, can lead to more and more cravings for eating, particularly such unhealthy food due to their addictive nature and thus leading to excessive fat and calorie accumulation and subsequent weight gain.
Conclusion
While eating sugar-rich food is not completely bad in itself, individuals should maintain a limit on the amount of intake of such food, given the huge negative impacts that it can have on the body. While sugar-rich food may be found much enjoyable and energizing to eat, it needs to be kept in mind that sugar in itself is what is popularly called ‘Sweet Poison’ and thus, self-regulation needs to be maintained by the individuals.
Lacey Arlo is a wellness expert and a nutritionist who aims to help members with health and diet queries. Lacey Arlo has worked with junior, national, and Olympic-level athletes by providing them with customizing programmers, supplement strategies, and support during their travel and competition. From weight management, PCOD, thyroid-related weight loss, and nutrition for children to diets for pregnant and diets for senior citizens, She offers nutrition-aided solutions for different age groups with consideration for each person’s unique health demands.