Many people don’t realize how much sugar they consume on a daily basis, which can negatively affect their health and fitness. Consuming sugar in adequate amounts is important for maintaining good energy levels, but consuming too much of it can be detrimental to your health. In this article, we’ll cover 7 signs that may indicate that your sugar intake is excessive – and what you should do regarding it. Understanding these signals from your body will help you balance your diet and eat healthy as part of an active lifestyle.
Abnormal weight gain.
Excess sugar consumption can lead to abnormal weight gain due to increased calorie intake. Sugar is an effective, efficient and convenient source of energy ready for our body to use. However, if not consumed immediately, it will be turned into fat and stored for later use.
Also, the type of sugar consumed, as well as the other foods that go with it, have a big impact on our body’s metabolic rate. It has been found that excessive consumption of refined or processed sugar can slow down our metabolism, leading to greater fat storage and abnormal weight gain.
Weak immune system.
Excessive consumption of sugar causes changes in the body, which leads to a weakening of immunity. Sugar can reduce the production of necessary hormones, decrease the number of good bacteria in our digestive system, and increase inflammation throughout the body, all of which impair our ability to fight infections.
Likewise, excessive sugar consumption leads to dehydration which further weakens our immune system’s ability to fight off bacteria and viruses. It is therefore important to keep our sugar intake within reasonable limits so that our body remains strong and able to ward off disease.
Fatigue.
Sugary foods and drinks can provide a quick energy boost, but can also quickly lead to fatigue. When we consume sugar, our body produces insulin to help absorb glucose from the blood, resulting in higher concentrations of sugar in cells that support physical activity. When these glucose stores run out following a few hours, a feeling of fatigue can result.
To avoid these debilitating effects, it is important to choose snacks or meals that contain a balance of carbohydrates and proteins, which are digested more slowly than sugars absorbed quickly. Choosing whole grains over refined products and adding nuts or peanut butter can also help keep blood sugar levels steady and make us feel energized rather than tired throughout the day.
Anxiety and mood swings.
Consuming too much sugar can cause a number of negative physical and mental symptoms, including mood swings, anxiety, and restlessness. Anxiety is usually triggered by the energy rush that comes from eating sugary snacks. The body rapidly processes the sugar, creating a short-lived burst of energy in the body which results in the release of stress hormones. This leads to a cycle where one finds it difficult to calm down following consuming something sweet. Mood swings can also be due to a blood sugar imbalance caused by excess sugar in the diet; when blood sugar levels rise and then fall once more, the person may feel irritable or depressed until their next dose of sugar.
Low libido.
Excessive sugar consumption can cause low libido in both men and women. This highly refined and processed food has a strong effect on our insulin levels and directly contributes to hormonal imbalances that are linked to low libido. The inflammation, triggered by regular consumption of sugary foods, may be linked to a drop in testosterone, the hormone responsible for libido in both sexes.
Poor oral health.
Refined sugars are notorious for their adverse effects on oral health, as they tend to stay on the teeth longer following consumption. This increases the risk of cavities and other oral infections such as bad breath or gum disease. Since bacteria feed on it for energy faster and easier than complex carbohydrates or proteins.
Constant thirst.
One of the consequences of excessive sugar consumption is a feeling of constant thirst. It causes blood sugar levels to rise, which in turn triggers a reaction of antidiuretic hormone or vasopressin (ADH) in the body, which helps to reduce water loss through urination. This leads to increased water retention and makes us feel constantly thirsty and in need of constant hydration.
