The Effects of Sugar - SUGAR AND OUR BODY

SUGAR AND OUR BODY……….WHAT DO I DRINK?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) drafted new guidelines earlier this year proposing sugars should be less than 10% of total energy intake per day, going further to say that a reduction to below 5% of total energy intake per day would have even greater benefits. Five per cent of total energy intake is equivalent to around 25 grams (around size teaspoons) of sugar per day for an adult of normal Body Mass Index (BMI). The average can of soft drink contains about ten teaspoons of sugar. That’s almost double your recommended daily intake in one can! It doesn’t’ take a dietician to realise that’s bad for you – and it’s especially bad for children. Here’s a quick reminder why:

Why is too much sugar unhealthy?

 

The maximum recommended daily sugar intake is about twelve teaspoons for adults, and less for children. Too much sugar can have a wide range of negative health impacts, including: Weight gain: Sugar is high in calories. If your body does not burn them off they are converted into fat. Type 2 Diabetes: Too much sugar gradually reduces your sensitivity to the effects of insulin and can lead to type 2 diabetes. Increases cholesterol: If you thought only fatty foods raised cholesterol levels think again. Sugar does too. Heart disease: Because it increases cholesterol levels and overall body fat, sugar is a major contributor to heart disease.

Liver disease: Once excess sugar is turned into fat it can lodge in the liver and cause Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Carcinogenic: There is considerable evidence that sugar, due to its harmful effects on metabolism, can contribute to cancer. Addictive: Because it causes massive amounts of dopamine to be released in the brain, sugar can be highly addictive. Rotten teeth: As we all know, sugar gives you dental cavities. It feeds harmful bacteria in the mouth and causes tooth decay. Now that’s a scary list.

No wonder YMCA Victoria recently stopped selling sugary drinks in its gymnasiums. But don’t despair! There are plenty of delicious alternatives to drinking sugary soft drinks.

DRINKS YOU SHOULD BE DRINKING…….

Cordial:

If you’re a sucker for the sweetness and fizz of soft drinks but want a healthier option, it’s hard to go past a low sugar content cordial. Even a fairly concentrated mixture will have far less sugar than a can of soft drink or glass of fruit juice.

 

WATER IS THE BEST OF ALL......

 

 

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NOTICE. This document provides general information only. Readers should seek independent professional advice from their general practitioner or dietician in relation to their own individual circumstances or condition before making any decisions based on the information in this document.