Why Is Sugar Bad For Us?

Diabetes

It is well known that sugar is a major contributor to obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. This is because continual spikes in our blood sugar create corresponding spikes of insulin. Over time our cells stop responding to the continual barrage of insulin and so we have to produce more of it to compensate. The cycle continues until insulin stops working effectively. The cells in our bodies that produce insulin then become fatigued and slow down or stop producing it altogether, leaving sugar to circulate dangerously in the bloodstream. That is diabetes.

Cancer

Sugar has been implicated in a range of cancers including colon and breast cancer. The truth is all cancer loves sugar. It is the number one food cancer cells prefer. Multiple studies show that a high level of sugar in our diet puts us at a much higher risk of developing cancer. Perhaps the strongest evidence of the link between sugar and cancer is that scans used to find cancers in the body use radiolabelled glucose to highlight the cancerous cells. Within only hours of being introduced into the bloodstream, the sugar molecules accumulate where the hungry cancer cells are, and show up clearly on radiology scans. Sugar is used because there is nothing that better helps identify hidden cancer. Think about that.

Heart Disease

Heart disease is the number one killer worldwide. Until recently it was thought that saturated fat in our diet was the main cause. The latest research shows that is not true, and in fact, fat may have nothing to do with heart disease at all. It is becoming increasingly clear that the main culprits are carbohydrate and sugar – which are basically the same thing as carbohydrate breaks down into sugar as soon as it hits our digestive systems Sugar contributes to heart disease by causing continual insulin spikes which inflame arterial walls, damaging their sensitive linings and creating a condition that greatly increases the risk of the disease.

Alzheimer's Disease

Recent research shows a diet high in sugar and low in healthy fat is playing a significant role in the huge modern increase in Alzheimer's Disease. The effect of sugar on the brain and the danger of insulin resistance in the development of Alzheimer's is so critical that the disease has been called "type 3 diabetes". Just like our bodies, our brains are thought to produce the insulin necessary for the survival of our brain cells. Through a process identical to the one that causes diabetes, our brain cells become insulin resistant and no longer absorb the sugar required for normal function. They then run out of fuel and lose the ability to carry out complex processes, like forming memories.

Fatty Liver Disease

Along the way to all these diseases, sugar - and particularly processed fructose - causes liver damage which can result in Fatty Liver Disease, a condition where an excess of fat from the metabolism of sugar remains in the organ. FLD results in cirrhosis, liver cancer, and eventual liver failure. To top it all off, sugar interferes with immune function, creates imbalances in our digestive systems, is responsible for mood swings and irritability, and causes tooth decay.

The News Isn't All Bad

The good news is that reducing the amount of sugar we eat can reverse much of the damage it causes. Xndo recommends a food pyramid that avoids sugar as much as possible, emphasizes protein and fiber, and limits carbohydrates. Xndo's range of ready-to-eat meals and functional beverages can help you achieve that.