How does sugar affect your body? And what can you do about it?

Chances are, you already know that eating too much sugar is bad for you. American adults consume an average of 77 grams of sugar per day, more than 3x the recommended amount. This adds up to around 60lbs of added sugar annually. Y'all that’s six, 10-lb bowling balls! The numbers are even worse for children. American kids consume 81 grams per day, equaling over 65lbs of added sugar per year.

Not all sugar is created equal.  It's the added sugar that's the problem. Manufacturers add it to even the most unexpected foods to enhance flavor and increase shelf-life. From pasta sauce to peanut butter, added sugar can be found in almost everything. Look for these words that often slip past us and hide the sugar in the ingredient list:

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This time of year, between trunk-or-treat events, door to door trick-or-treating and the dish of candy around every corner, there seems to be an excess of sugar everywhere.  And we rarely stop and think about what that sugar is really doing to us. Sugar is a sweet danger that can wreak havoc in our bodies!

The most immediate effect on your body is a compromised immune system which means you are more likely to get sick. A mere 75 grams of sugar suppresses your immune system for 5 hours!  Sound like a lot?  It adds up fast. There is an average of 39 grams of sugar in soda pop. There is 43 grams of sugar in a Hershey's chocolate bar. There is an average of 62 grams of sugar in a small frosted sugar cookie.

The list of long-term consequences is growing.  Here are just a few potential health-risks you're facing with excess sugar consumption:
Inflammation - fructose in sugar causes cells in your body to become inflamed. This kind of inflammation leads to cell and tissue damage which in turn leads to damage to our body systems.
Obesity - only the liver can break down fructose in high amounts. When you eat too much fructose, the liver turns it into fat, which can lead to weight gain and obesity.
Diabetes - when you consume large amounts of sugar you increase your likelihood to develop type 2 diabetes. Studies are also finding that fructose may impair insulin-signaling which can cause insulin resistance.
NAFLD - Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease develops when your liver produces too much fat or doesn't break the fat down efficiently enough. This can even cause more serious conditions like cancer and liver failure.
Heart Disease and High Blood Pressure - the extra insulin in your bloodstream from consuming too much sugar can affect your arteries all over your body. This can lead to heart disease, like heart failure, heart attacks, and strokes.

So what can you do about it?

If you’ve already consumed too much sugar, take a few steps to help your body rid itself of the excess.  Drink lots of water! I recommend filtering your water through a Berkey water system like this one. Eat some high quality probiotics like Life 9 for adults or MightyPro for kids. Stick to protein rich foods for the rest of the day that will take your body longer to digest. I like Orgain Protein Powder that you can get here.

Going forward make informed decisions on what you and your kids are eating. Eat a balanced diet and cut out the excess sugar. Focus on whole foods: fresh fruits and veggies, ancient grains, and locally raised meat. Let me know if you have questions or need help finding products to support your journey!

God Bless!
xo Melissa