1. Sugar causes blood sugar to rise and fall.

Unstable blood sugar often leads to mood swings, fatigue, headaches and craving for more sugar. Desires set the stage for an addictive cycle where all the new beats of sugar make you feel better for a while but, a few hours later, lead to more cravings and hunger. On the flip side, those who avoid sugar often report having little or no craving for sugary foods and feel emotionally limited and energetic.


2. Sugar increases the risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

Extensive studies have shown that foods that are high in glycemic (those that immediately affect blood sugar), including foods high in sugar, in a person, increase the risk of obesity and improve diabetes and heart disease1. Emerging studies suggest an association between high glycemic diets and many types of cancer2,3,4.


3. Sugar interferes with body function.

Research on human subjects is limited, but animal studies have shown that sugar suppresses the body's response 5. More research is needed to understand specific mechanisms; however, we know that bacteria and yeast feed on sugar and that, when these organisms are unequal in the body, infection and disease are more likely.


4. Sugar accelerates aging.

Until it contributes to that telltale sign of aging: loose skin. Some of the sugar you eat, after hitting your bloodstream, eventually binds to proteins, through a process called glycation. These new cellular structures contribute to the loss of firmness found in aging tissues, from your skin to your organs and blood vessels7. The more sugar you have in your bloodstream, the more quickly the damage gets.


5. Sugar causes tooth decay.

With all the other life-threatening side effects of diabetes, we sometimes forget the basic damage you do. When it stays in your teeth, it causes more decay than any other food8. For a powerful reminder to watch, the next time you visit Faith Fairy, try an old tooth-glass-Coke experiment - the results will surely ensure that the sugar is not suitable for your leading whites.


6. Sugar increases the pressure.

When we are depressed, our stress hormone levels rise; these chemicals are emergency or flight-carrying bodybuilders, sent to prepare the body for an attack or escape. These chemicals are also called to work when blood sugar is low. For example, after a blood sugar level (say, by eating a piece of a birthday cake), there is a compensatory breakdown, which causes the body to release stress hormones such as adrenaline, epinephrine and cortisol. One of the main functions of these hormones is to increase blood sugar, which provides the body with faster energy. The problem is, these beneficial hormones can cause us to feel anxious, irritable, and unstable.


7. Sugar replaces vital nutrients.

According to USDA data, people who consume a lot of sugar have very low levels of essential nutrients - especially vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, vitamin B-12, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron. Ironically, those who consume the most sugar are children and adolescents, people who need these nutrients.

Now that you know the harmful effects your pure sugar can have on your body and mind, you will want to be aware of your diet. And the first step is to learn where the sugar is hidden - believe it or not, food doesn't have to be all that delicious to load the sugar. When it comes to light and integrated foods, let the ingredient label be your guide, and know that just because something boasts of being low on carbs or on a “diet” diet, doesn’t mean it’s sugar-free. Atkins products have never contained added sugar.