If you believe that the only way sugar makes its way into your system is through desserts and drinks, you might want to think again.
Sugar is literally everywhere! And no, I’m not kidding. From your favorite salad dressing to the so-called healthy low-fat yogurt, from canned fruits to sports drinks — everything has some amount of added sugar. When consumed in large quantities, these foods can cause serious harm and lead to many diseases.
There may be hidden sugar in your diet that you don’t know you’re eating. In fact, the average person consumes around 22 teaspoons of sugar on a daily basis, which is more than 4 times what the FDA recommends. Source
To be clear:
- The natural form of sugar that’s present in the form of fructose and lactose in fruits and vegetables is less harmful.
- It’s the added sugar (for flavors and textures) that is your true enemy.
We all end up consuming so many empty calories, which can be easily avoided. The average person intakes anywhere between 300 to 700 calories only from added sugars. Whoa!
Experts agree that some added sugar in the diet is fine. But the truth is, most Americans are consuming way too much — on average, nearly 66 pounds of added sugar per person, every year. This could be affecting us in ways that make us prone to craving more sugar and to obesity. Source
Following are 5 things that artificial sugar does to your body. These are great reasons to take a step back and reconsider how much sugar you’re eating:
Read more: The Benefits Of Giving Up Sugar: 5 Frightening Reasons To Give Up Sugar Right Away!