By Lauren Harrell
Maybe ice cream is your favorite dessert (like mine). You might add a teaspoon of sugar to your coffee in the morning, or you might enjoy a box of candy at the movie theater. Maybe you stop by to grab fast food after work. Your grandma’s homemade cookies are, of course, irresistible. Sugar and sweets are a fun treat and fine in moderation, but what really happens in your body when you do eat too much sugar? Our bodies are not able to consume and digest large amounts of sugar. However, the average American consumes more sugar than dietary guidelines recommend.
Too much sugar can lead to damage akin to that of excessive alcohol consumption. Excessive sugar intake can be particularly overwhelming for your liver. When you consume too many sweets, many of which could contain fructose, your body is unable to release insulin and your appetite is not suppressed. This can lead to overeating, excessive weight gain, and, over time, resistance to insulin. As mentioned before, our bodies are not equipped to metabolize large amount of sugar. This can often lead to an upset stomach as well as more serious symptoms. Increased “bad” cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar may all develop over time.
In addition to potential liver damage, excessive consumption of sugar can put you at a higher risk for heart and kidney disease. Sugar is the primary factor in diet that leads to obesity due to blocking the release of insulin and blocking the subsequent signaling pathway. According to some research, sugar is thought to possibly increase the growth of cancer cells and increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s or dementia as well.
How do you resist those cravings for a sweet treat or a stop for fast food? Set goals for yourself to eat more of the “good” stuff and less of the “bad” stuff. Satisfy your sweet tooth with natural sugars such as those found in clementines or strawberries. Exercise more or start doing yoga. Eat regular, satisfying meals and reduce the urge to snack. You might even find meditation to beneficial.
None of this information is written to scare you. A piece of pie at Thanksgiving is not going to harm you. Everything should be consumed in moderation, as with sugar. However, it is important to understand what is happening in your body and to understand your body’s capabilities and its limits. When you eat a sugary or processed food, your body metabolizes it and breaks it down. When you eat too much sugary or processed foods, your body has difficulty making energy from the food and the excess sugar disrupts information pathways that tell your body that “you’re full” or “you’re not hungry anymore.”
Remember to treat your body well and remember what your body is and is not capable of handling!
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