Excess sugar intake is linked to many health problems. Recent research has shown that high sugar intake can greatly increase heart disease risk, and a new MRI technique even confirmed that cancer cells feed on sugar.
“A piece of fruit, or even a treat like ice cream, isn’t going to cause you too much trouble… provided it truly is just that – a treat and not something that you overindulge in,” says Dr. Joseph Mercola, a leading health expert and physician. “Most Americans, however, are overindulging – and that’s putting it mildly. The average American consumes one-third of a pound of sugar per day, half of which is processed fructose.”
By now it is a fairly well known fact that added sugars are harmful to health. However, Americans are still consuming way too much.
The American Heart Association and the World Health Organization recommend no more than 9 teaspoons of sugars per day and 6 teaspoons for women – the less the better.
The average American consumes about 20 teaspoons of added sugar a day.
Studies have also shown that sugar is highly addictive. Let’s take a look at 4 ways to kick your sugar addiction.
1. Don’t use artificial sweeteners:
Artificial sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup and aspartame trick the body, because it the body doesn’t know that it is really consuming sugar. These sweeteners make your taste receptors less sensitive to real natural sugars.
2. Eat fruit instead of sugar foods:
Fruit contains natural sugars called fructose, while processed sugar foods contain harmful artificial sweeteners like aspartame, high fructose corn syrup, and more. Fruit also has less calories than processed foods with added sugar.
3. Get rid of the source:
This means getting rid of any sugary treats or beverages. When you clean house, you get rid of temptations. “We can’t control all the environments we’re in, but we want to control the ones we can,” explains Adam Gilbert, a weight loss coach who founded the program My Body Tutor. “We don’t get bonus points for using hero-like willpower.”
4. Have a plan B:
If you are feeling an extra strong craving coming on that you don’t think you can resist, have a backup plan. Eat a piece of fruit, listen to your favorite music, talk to a friend. When you know what you are doing ahead of time, it makes controlling your cravings easier.
Note: None of the information in our website is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. The content on our website is for educational purposes only.
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New MRI technique confirms that cancer feeds on sugar.
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REFERENCES:
1. “Health Effects of Eating Too Much Sugar.” Mercola.com. Mercola.com, n.d. Web. 7 Nov. 2015.
2. “Effects of Dietary Glycemic Index on Brain Regions Related to Reward and Craving in Men.” AJCN.Nutrition.org. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, n.d. Web. 7 Nov. 2015.
3. “How to End Your Sugar Addiction.” CNN. Cable News Network, n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2015.
