Why Quit Sugar?

Triumph over your food cravings

May 11, 2020

Published by Bhakti Kapoor at May 10, 2020

As a kid I remember imploring my mother for sweets at the grocery store. She would seldom ever give in to my behest. I feel fortunate to be raised by a responsible parent. She was well informed that refined sugar was bad for me and persisted in teaching me this.

The WHO (World Health Organization) recommends reducing the intake of free sugars (e.g. sugar in coffee, desserts, instant meals, etc.) to less than 10% of the total energy intake per day. Though to achieve weight loss goals you need to reduce this even further.

Is sugar really your friend?

Read on to know why you must eliminate refined sugar from your diet.

Here are 6 reasons to quit sugar:

1. Causes Premature Aging:

Sugar can attach to proteins in the bloodstream, resulting in AGEs (Advanced Glycation End Products) that damage collagen and elastin production, which are responsible for maintaining skin’s elasticity.

2. Damages Your Immune System:

By lowering the efficiency of white blood cells for hours at a time after consumption, sugar compromises the immune system and hinders our ability to fight disease and infection.

3. Robs Your Body Of Essential Minerals:

Besides being empty calories with no value in nutrition, sugar actually robs your body of essential minerals. Sugar causes essential minerals like sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium to be leached from the body. This can weaken the teeth and bones, causing tooth decay and diseases like osteoporosis.

4. Increases Inflammation And Joint Pain:

Eating refined and processed sugars increases insulin levels in the body and insulin is known to cause inflammation, which leads to joint pain as well. So, when you quit sugar, your joints will be less inflamed and pain free.

5. Reduces Productivity, Memory & Alertness:

Consuming sugar leads to a spike in both blood sugar and feel-good serotonin levels in the brain. When the sugar levels drop, we experience a “crash” or a “slump”, creating a cycle of craving and bingeing in both our bodies and our minds.

6. Increases Risk Of Diabetes & Heart Disease:

Various studies suggest that among other factors, diets high in sugar cause the body to store visceral fat, which can eventually lead to insulin resistance and diabetes. Too much consumption of sugar is also known to increase the levels of triglycerides, which in turn increase your risks of developing cardiovascular diseases.

Different names of refined sugar

Eating a sugar-free diet is not always easy, because sugar is usually not listed as an ingredient in food that contains it. It’s hidden behind different names, which are sometimes unfamiliar to us.

Dextrose
Fructose
Galactose
Glucose
Lactose
Maltose
Sucrose
Maltodextrin
High-Fructose Corn Syrup
Caramel syrup
Corn syrup

It’s a sad fact, that a lot of us have been addicted to sugar since childhood; one that I’m hoping future generations will be increasingly more aware of so we as a society can break this trend. However, children learn by example and before we can help them to stay away from these stuff, we have to find a way to quit sugar ourselves.

Complete elimination of refined sugar is definitely challenging but 100% worth it. Let’s begin with taking small steps towards achieving a healthier lifestyle.

Please feel free to share your thoughts on this topic! I would love to hear from you.

Why Quit Sugar?

Triumph over your food cravings

Why Quit Sugar?

Is sugar really your friend?

Here are 6 reasons to quit sugar:

Different names of refined sugar

Bhakti Kapoor

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