Added sugars can be found in many processed foods and drinks. They are added to increase the product’s shelf life, improve the texture, or make it taste better. Unfortunately, added sugars have several negative health effects that most people are unaware of. In this article Dr. Ryan Shelton, Zenith Labs will discuss the alarming impact of added sugars on your health. He will also provide tips for avoiding them!
What Are Added Sugars?
Added sugars are any type of sugar added to a food or drink during processing. This includes table sugar, honey, molasses, corn syrup, and other syrups. Added sugars do not include naturally occurring sugars like those found in fruits and milk.
The dangers of added sugars have been well documented in recent years. A growing body of research has linked added sugars to several serious health conditions, including obesity, type II diabetes, heart disease, and liver disease.
How Do Added Sugars Impact Our Health?
Added sugars are empty calories that provide no nutritional value. They can cause weight gain and contribute to obesity. In addition, they can raise blood sugar levels, which can lead to type II diabetes.
Added sugars can also increase your risk of heart disease, says Dr. Ryan Shelton, Zenith Labs. They do this by raising triglyceride levels and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. In addition, they can cause inflammation throughout the body.
Added sugars can damage the liver. A high intake of added sugars can lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD can progress to more serious conditions, such as cirrhosis and liver failure.
Tips for Reducing Your Intake of Added Sugars
It would be best if you tried to avoid foods and drinks that contain added sugars. This can be not easy, as added sugars are found in many processed foods and drinks. However, there are a few things you can do to ensure success.
Read food labels carefully and avoid products that contain added sugars. Food labels will list added sugars under the “ingredients” section.
Choose foods made with natural sweeteners, such as honey or maple syrup. Avoid sugary drinks, such as soda, juices, and sports drinks. Instead, drink water or unsweetened tea or coffee.
If you crave something sweet, eat fruit instead of processed snacks that contain added sugars. Choose whole fruits and vegetables instead of processed or packaged snacks. You can also replace sugary snacks with healthier alternatives like nuts, seeds, or fruit.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so make sure it doesn’t contain added sugars. Start your day with a healthy breakfast that contains protein and fiber. Eggs, oatmeal, and avocado toast are all great options.
Are There Any Specific Foods or Drinks That Contain High Levels of Added Sugars?
Many processed foods and drinks contain high levels of added sugars. This includes candy, cookies, cake, ice cream, soda, and fruit juice. It would help if you tried to limit your intake of these foods and drinks. Instead, opt for healthier alternatives.
What Are Some Ways to Replace Added Sugars With Healthier Alternatives?
There are many ways you can replace added sugars with healthier alternatives. For example, you can use fresh fruit to sweeten yogurt or oatmeal instead of sugar. You can also add spices like cinnamon or vanilla extract to enhance food flavor without using sugar.
How Can We Help Spread Awareness About the Dangers of Added Sugars?
We can help spread awareness about the dangers of added sugars by sharing this information with others. Sharing this blog post with your friends and family is a great start. You can also share it on social media or start a conversation about the dangers of added sugars with others.
Added sugars are a major health concern, says Dr. Ryan Shelton, Zenith Labs, but they are often overlooked. By sharing this information, we can help raise awareness about the dangers of added sugars and encourage others. You can also talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian if you have any questions about added sugars or your diet.
Conclusion
Added sugars are a major health concern that we need to be aware of. We hope this article has helped you learn more about the effects of added sugars on your health. Remember to avoid processed foods and sugary drinks and choose healthy alternatives instead!
