Naturally occurring sugar in vegetables and fruits are good for you, but not in excess, after all they come from nature. Prepared and processed foods often contain added or refined sugar for added sweetness, for example, ketchup, candy or almond milk to name a few.
A sugar-free diet isn’t just another weight loss fad; the benefits go far beyond weight control, as going sugar free means better health and wellbeing.
Eating Less Sugar Will Make You Happier
Sugar impairs the body’s ability to pump out positive mood-enhancing chemicals, such as dopamine; as a result it’s directly linked to higher rates of anxiety and depression. You might get a temporary high, but sugar increases inflammation, which is linked to an increased risk of developing depression.
Try not to go for “quick-fix” sugar high, foods such as poultry, eggs, and nuts are a much better option, they produce the happy hormone serotonin.
Make Your Immune System Happy
Sugar causes inflammation, which impacts on the immune system, and this means a difficult time warding off infections, including the flu and common cold. Phagocytes is a type of white blood cell, and its job is to engulf harmful bacteria, sugar impedes its function. Sugar is also known to raise blood pressure.
Try boosting your natural immunity with antioxidants and other anti-inflammatory agents.
Less Sugar Means an Increased Attention Span
The University of California, Los Angeles showed that sugar might compromise mental functions such as learning and memory.
Sugar appears to create brain fog, making it harder to focus on the present or remember the past. It increases stress, also impacting on attention spans and cognitive abilities.
Try meditation, it’s a good way to sharpen attention and improve mental abilities.
Eating Less Sugar Will Decrease Your Dependency
Your body craves sugar because it’s similar to taking a drug. Eating sugar changes the way your brain produces chemicals, such as dopamine, the problem with this is that consumption can lead to dependency. This even applies to natural sugar, including fruit, honey, and milk.
BBC reports that men shouldn't have over 70 grams of sugar a day, while women should keep it below 50 grams. Someone’s size and level of physical activity may mean it’s OK to go a little over.
Try eating blueberries or another low-glycemic fruit if you have a sweet tooth.
Less Sugar Means Better Skin
Studies suggest that sugar increase the risk of acne, it creates new molecules (AGEs) that attack the fibers in collagen and elastin - the proteins that make your skin so smooth and firm.
Cutting back on sugar can help you age more slowly. A diet rich in vitamin C also helps boost collagen production instead of breaking it down.
Feel More Energized
You might feel energized after taking in a high level of sugar, but as with caffeine, you’re bound to crash.
”Your body burns through sugars and highly processed carbohydrates, like white bread, white rice, or prepared bakery goods, more rapidly than protein and the carbohydrates in whole grains,” reports a Harvard Medical School study
Try eating for natural energy with good fats and lean proteins.
Become Less Likely to Develop Chronic Diseases
Excess sugar is reportedly linked to higher blood pressure, reducing good cholesterol (HDL), increasing your risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes.
Increased sugar intake can create spikes in blood sugar levels, which is a precursor for diseases like diabetes. Sugar has also been linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
Simply put, try eating less sugar.
Improved Sleep
If eating sugar late at night you’re more likely to toss and turn. Ditching the sugar regulates your body, allowing for better relaxation and a great night’s sleep.
