Too sweet to handle

Too sweet to handle


We love sugar, but sugar doesn’t love us.

Early on, your parents probably told you eating too many sweets would cause cavities. As you grew older, you learned cavities were just the beginning of what too much sweetness can do. Excessive amounts of sugar can cause a variety of unpleasant short-term effects, such as weight gain, acne and feeling low on energy. In the long run, it can lead to chronic conditions, including Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

The good news? Not all sugars are created equal. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Americans consume too much of a certain kind of sweetener: added sugar. This is sugar added to food products by their makers.

The symptoms of eating too much sugar (a dip in mood, bloating) can be felt well before more serious effects kick in, such as tooth decay and high blood pressure. The range of risks is broad; excessive sugar consumption can include something superficial, such as aging skin, or an illness as grave as cancer.

Processed foods present the most opportunity for added sugars. If you can’t avoid them altogether, check the labels and look for sweeteners like corn syrup or even fruit juice concentrates.

Some sugars, like fructose, naturally occur in food. But when manufacturers add sweeteners, your sugar intake can quickly climb without you even realizing it. Take control and swap out sugary food for healthier fare. Choose oatmeal over that sweet cereal for breakfast, for example.

Like most new habits, being mindful of your sugar intake may take time to learn. But it comes with a sweet reward: better health.

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