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Too much sugar might satiate your sweet buds but it is bad for your health. Yes, sugar links to several health issues, but one that often goes unnoticed is its effect on your cholesterol levels. Overeating added sugar (and there's way too much of it in our diets) can cause a spike in triglyceride levels that raises your risk for heart disease.
So what exactly does this mean? We'll explain how excess sugar affects your cholesterol levels and why controlling them with a simple swap may be the key to living longer—without giving up all those delicious desserts!
Added Sugar Consumption Causes A Spike In Triglyceride Levels
The American Heart Association reports that sugar can increase triglyceride levels. Triglycerides are undissolvable fat found in the blood. An elevated level may indicate heart disease and other health problems. While high triglyceride levels alone don't mean you have heart disease, they do put you at risk for it. According to leading health experts, high triglyceride levels cause obesity, diabetes, and other conditions, including metabolic syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
A High Sugar Diet Depletes your Immunity, Raising your Risk of Infection
Sugar is a source of calories, but it's also an essential energy source for your body. Your cells need glucose to function correctly, which you get from the foods you eat. But when you consume too much sugar, it can lead to health problems like obesity—and even low blood pressure.
Low blood pressure means your body isn't getting enough oxygen in its blood supply during exercise or physical exertion—which can be dangerous if not treated quickly enough!
If this sounds familiar, there's good news: A low-sugar diet could be just what the doctor ordered!
Added Sugar Increases Body Fat around the Organs
Sugar is converted to fat by the body. Your liver turns excess sugar into triglycerides stored as fat. Excess sugar in your diet can also cause you to produce more cholesterol and uric acid, which increases your risk of heart disease.
Obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and severe health problems are firmly related, known as metabolic syndrome, a combination of genetic factors, and overeating of sugar and other processed foods.
The Refined Sugars are Devoid of any Essential Nutrients the Body Needs
You may think the sugar you eat is like a vitamin or mineral. In reality, refined sugars are devoid of essential nutrients the body needs. They have no nutritional value and provide no benefit to your health. They can cause harm as they contribute to a wide range of diseases and chronic illnesses like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease that you want to avoid!
Book an appointment today at our Interventional Cardiology Hospital in Patiala to know more about diet plans that could help your heart to be healthy.
Added Sugar Increases Belly Fat
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Sugar is full of empty calories that offer no nutritional value, which can lead to weight gain.
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It's a significant cause of obesity and diabetes.
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It's a major cause of heart disease and cancer.
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And excess sugar may also play a role in Alzheimer's disease!
Excess Sugar makes you Hungrier and Lowers your Body's Sensitivity to Insulin, which can Lead to Overeating and Type 2 Diabetes
Sugar makes you hungrier by stimulating the release of insulin, a hormone that lowers your blood sugar level. When your blood sugar drops, your brain pleads to eat something—and if there's no food handy, you'll likely reach for something quick and easy like a doughnut or bag of chips. One of the ways how sugary foods can lead to overeating.
Plus, when your body becomes less sensitive to the effects of insulin, it needs more insulin for the same amount of glucose absorption into muscle cells and fat tissue, leading to type 2 diabetes. Eventually, this leads to serious health issues such as heart disease or blindness if left untreated!
Excess sugar affects your cholesterol, which is terrible for your heart and overall health
High cholesterol is a foremost risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Having elevated cholesterol can be a severe problem. There are several ways to reduce your cholesterol naturally and improve your health. One of those ways is by reducing the amount of added sugars in your diet.
Excess sugar increases LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, decreases HDL (good) cholesterol, increases triglyceride levels, and more! All this can negatively impact your cardiovascular health, leading to serious health problems down the road if not addressed soon enough!
Consult with our Interventional Cardiologist in Patiala to know more about the treatment options available to keep your heart in a healthy condition.
How do You Control Sugar Levels?
Eating more fiber, vegetables, fruit, and whole grains is the best way to control your blood sugar. Fiber will slow the breakdown of carbohydrates in your body. Avoid refined carbohydrates like white bread, white rice, pastries, and cookies that contain lots of added sugars. Refined carbohydrates cause blood sugar spikes, just like eating refined sugar does! Also, avoid fast food because it's very high in trans fats, which can cause heart disease by contributing to an increase in total cholesterol levels. Reduce your intake of processed meat such as hot dogs daily—these foods are also high-fat culprits.
For those interested in controlling their sugar intake, the simplest way to do so is by ensuring that you're not consuming any added sugars. That means cutting out all processed foods, candies and cakes (except for your birthday!), along with sodas and fruit juices. There are also natural alternatives like honey and stevia, which in small quantities do not harm your cholesterol levels or health as much as refined sugar.
Learn more about lifestyle conditions by listening to highly experienced doctors at Manipal Hospitals in an exclusive podcast, or read the blog to stay updated on the latest in the world of health. If you or your loved ones experience ill-health symptoms, meet the best doctors in Patiala, and discuss your concerns.
Senior Consultant - Interventional Cardiology
Manipal Hospitals, Patiala
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