How Sugar Makes You Gain Weight

When it comes to weight gain and obesity, sugar is the most dangerous substance we put in our mouths. Coming from plants like beet and sugar cane, sugar is refined carbohydrate that makes us gain weight because of how it reacts in the body and how it makes us react.\n\nThere are several types of natural sugars: table sugar is known as sucrose, sugars in fruit are called fructose, and glucose is found in foods such as honey and sweetened drinks. Of course, these sugars give us the energy we need to live a full and healthy life, but too much sugar is definitely bad for us.\n\n

How sugar reacts in the body

\nSugar is absorbed quickly in the body, and causes glucose levels to rise rapidly. This is why high sugar foods give a sudden energy burst.\n\nAs blood glucose levels rise, so too does the release of insulin. Insulin battles glucose and causes blood sugar levels to fall. This makes us want to eat more. This is why sugar is now known to be addictive: the more you eat, the more you want to eat.\n\n

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How we react to sugar

\nJust like many drugs, sugar produces highs which are then followed by lows. This is most noticeable in children. When fed sugary foods - such as cakes, sweets, and fizzy drinks – energy levels fly through the roof. Play is full of fun and laughter. Then, as the effect begins to wear off (as insulin produced reduces blood sugar levels), children become irritable and aggravated, with tears and tantrums following – it’s like a rapid case of ‘cold turkey’.\n\nThis down feeling combines with the reaction of sugar in the body and again causes us to want to eat more.\n\nThe excess sugar consumed is then stored in our body as the body converts the sugar to fat. Most of this fat congregates in the abdomen, thus causing abdominal obesity.\n\n

How to avoid weight gain by sugar

\nIf you want to fight the fat, the rule is to reduce sugar intake.\n\nOf course, it’s easy to say stop eating sugary foods but far harder to do. Here are three tips to make this happen:\n\n• Find out where the sugar is – foods such as ketchup, sauces, canned fruits, ice cream, and yoghurts are among the worst offenders.
\n• Avoid energy and other fizzy drinks, and enjoy drinks made with natural sweeteners instead.
\n• Avoid processed foods, which have high levels of added sugars. Use fresh foods to bake at home, and add Xylitol or stevia to sweeten.\n\nIt’s a fact that sugar makes us gain weight. By switching out of sugar and into naturally sweetened products, you’ll avoid joining the ranks of the obese.\n\n