Summer is here and those of you that spent all winter working on your beach bodies finally get to show off your progress. Congratulations on all your hard work! This blog post is dedicated to you. If you're like many and you're still working on your beach body, this week's blog post is also for you. In fact, no matter where you are on the health spectrum, this blog post is for you. This week we're going to talk about four healthy reasons to cut back on the amount of sugar you consume.
Reduce Your Risk of Tooth Decay
We're dentists so of course we're going to lead the discussion with telling you how sugar is bad for you teeth. Sugar is part of a process that promotes tooth decay by feeding bacteria that produce acid as a byproduct. This acid breaks down tooth enamel and leads to things like cavities and cracks in your teeth as a result of weakened structure. If you're reading a dental blog, we'll assume you already know the gist this. However, if you're looking for another reason to continue a low-sugar diet or if you're pursuing other health goals that involve lowering your sugar intake, this is just one more benefit you'll receive in doing so.
Avoid the Crash
Reactive hypoglycemia. This is the medical term the "post-lunch dip" or what your coworker really feels when he or she says they need to take a nap just after they finish lunch. It occurs because most people simply consume too many carbohydrates, or in biochemistry terms, sugars. This consumption causes a rise in blood glucose, which triggers an insulin spike. The subsequent reduction in blood glucose is when you feel the crash and want to curl up on the couch and nap. Avoid this crash by consciously removing some high-sugar foods from your diet.
Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease
When you intake too many sugars, the amount of fats, or triglycerides, increase in your blood. According to many bodies of research, high triglyceride levels increase your risk for heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S. according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Reduce Calories and Trim Your Waistline
Many foods that are rich in sugars tend to be nutritionally weak. This means you're taking in a lot of calories without many benefits to your body when it comes to proper functioning. This is why no matter if you're trying to keep your slim waistline or achieve one, reducing sugar in your diet will help you achieve your goals. Pay special attention to the amount of calories you intake from sugary drinks. A frighteningly large number of people get a substantial portion of their calories from nutritionally void sugary drinks.
Thanks for Reading!
We hope these simple, easy-to-grasp reasons to consume less sugar have you checking your food labels next time you go for a snack. Keep your teeth healthy and your beach body progress going strong by reducing the amount of sugar you consume. If you enjoy our blog posts, please like or share our Facebook page and help us spread the word!