Sugar Addiction: How to Identify and Overcome Your Dependence on Sweets?

Sugar is the cleanest source of energy that we have today. Unlike proteins and fats, they can pass across the blood-brain barrier. Your brain physically gets fed by sugar. It also tastes fantastic. Rather than being similar to drug addiction, sugar addiction is more like a nicotine or caffeine addiction. A dentist SW Calgary AB believes that sugar addiction is a psychological one.

How Does Excess Sugar Affect Your Health? Risks and Consequences of Overconsumption

Eating too much sugar is likely to be unhealthy. But sugar is a crucial component of processed foods and goes by various names, including agave nectar, corn syrup, and others. Let us discover the risks of sugaroverconsumption associated with health:

Weight Gain

Consuming sugar makes you gain weight. Numerous studies have highlighted the negative consequences of ingesting too much sugar in the form of colas, juices, and other sweetened beverages. Those who overindulge in fast food and processed foods gain more weight than those who maintain a healthy diet. The main contributing factor to heart disease globally is obesity.

Depression

When we consume sweet foods, dopaminereleases into the body, whichmakes you feel happy. The brain starts to seek the same high once more as the rush diminishes. Moreover, depression in adults has a link to a high-sugar diet.

Tooth Decay

Sugar supports the growth of oral microorganisms. The bacteria’s breakdown of the sugar creates acid in the mouth as a byproduct. As a result, it forms cavities or holes in the teeth, which causes gum diseases and other oral health problems.

Heart Disease

One study associates heavy triglyceride levels, raised blood pressure, and increased inflammation with heavy sugar consumption. All of these increase a person’s susceptibility to heart disease. Additionally, consuming more sugar might cause fat to lodge in arteries, resulting in atherosclerosis.

Bad Skin

Sugar makes acne worse. Increased oil production and testosterone release cause acne break-outs due to spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels.

Risk of Diabetes

Blood sugar levels that are excessively high cause insulin resistance, which eventually results in diabetes. Obesity can cause diabetes, which occurs from consuming too much sugar.

Maintaining a Healthy Relationship with Sugar: Balancing Moderation and Indulgence in Your Diet

Food has several other purposes besides serving as fuel. You eat for numerous reasons than just survival.

• You eat for fun.
• You eat out of tradition.
• You eat with loved ones.

Thus, you must learn to respect food and make better decisions for your body when you see it as more than just a fuel source.

Do Not Skip Meals

Have you ever skipped eating? If yes, later on, you were undoubtedly weak, ravenous, and extremely hungry. Some people skip breakfast or other meals to minimize the calories they take during the day or as a kind of self-punishment. However, missing meals will result in overeating later. In addition to this, it declines your performance and mental clarity.

Focus on Eating a Balanced Diet

Sometimes, the most apparent counseling is the best advice from a health expert. Five servings of veggies and fruits daily, along with meals containing high protein and fiber content will manage the blood sugar. When creating a balanced diet, be mindful that most highly processed foods have added sugars. It indicates that you are consuming more sugar than you think.

Seeds

Some seeds have a reputation for regulating diabetes. The two seeds that diabetics should consume the most are chia and flax. Chia seeds have high fiberbut little carbohydrates that are easily digestible. One study showsthey help minimize blood sugar and manage diabetes.

Nuts and Eggs

Eggs and nuts are other fatty foods that control blood sugar levels and manage diabetes. In addition, eggs are a fantastic source of good fats that can help manage diabetes. They can increase your insulin sensitivity, decrease inflammation, and offer antioxidant advantages that help your body produce fewer free radicals and prevent illnesses.

Dental exams and cleanings near you are available at our dental office to support you through this challenging time. If you require any help with sugar addiction for yourself or a loved one, contact Dental at the Met today!