We've all heard it before — added sugar is awful for you. Large quantities can wreak havoc on your health and lead to obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and even cancer. Despite the dangerous health consequences of consuming sugar, Americans are still eating it. Candy, sodas, ice cream treats, processed foods... The sugar addiction is real, and obesity has become an epidemic.
The serious health damage being caused by sugar is preventable. Cutting back on sugar consumption can show immediate, positive effects on overall health and wellness. In a recent study, researchers were able to prove dramatic effects of cutting out sugar that appeared in just 10 days.
Dr. Robert Lustig worked alongside a team of researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, in a study to show the effects of cutting sugar out of a child's diet. In only 10 days, all of the children who participated in the study dramatically reduced their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Researchers were able to decrease triglyceride levels by an average of 33 points and drop LDL cholesterol levels by 5 points, also dropping diastolic blood pressure.
Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years — a scary statistic. According to a report from the University of North Carolina, the average person shovels in 300 calories of added sugar every day, and roughly 20% of Americans exceed 700 calories of added sugar on a daily basis. Elyse Powell, one of the report's co-authors explained, "Not only are we getting added sugar from obvious places like cakes, candy and soda, but it's also coming from healthier-sounding packaged products like salad dressing, pasta sauce and yogurt."
So even if you're not big on sweets, you might still be overloading on sugar that's hiding in processed foods. Exactly what you'll experience when you stop sugar intake will depend on the size of your addiction. Those who are in the habit of overdoing it when it comes to sugar may show withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety and restlessness. Despite any temporary side effects, cutting back on sugar for 10 days has major health benefits!
The serious health damage being caused by sugar is preventable. Cutting back on sugar consumption can show immediate, positive effects on overall health and wellness. In a recent study, researchers were able to prove dramatic effects of cutting out sugar that appeared in just 10 days.
Dr. Robert Lustig worked alongside a team of researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, in a study to show the effects of cutting sugar out of a child's diet. In only 10 days, all of the children who participated in the study dramatically reduced their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Researchers were able to decrease triglyceride levels by an average of 33 points and drop LDL cholesterol levels by 5 points, also dropping diastolic blood pressure.
Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years — a scary statistic. According to a report from the University of North Carolina, the average person shovels in 300 calories of added sugar every day, and roughly 20% of Americans exceed 700 calories of added sugar on a daily basis. Elyse Powell, one of the report's co-authors explained, "Not only are we getting added sugar from obvious places like cakes, candy and soda, but it's also coming from healthier-sounding packaged products like salad dressing, pasta sauce and yogurt."
So even if you're not big on sweets, you might still be overloading on sugar that's hiding in processed foods. Exactly what you'll experience when you stop sugar intake will depend on the size of your addiction. Those who are in the habit of overdoing it when it comes to sugar may show withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety and restlessness. Despite any temporary side effects, cutting back on sugar for 10 days has major health benefits!
