Too Much Added Sugar Can Be Harmful To Health
Indulging in an occasional treat is okay, but too much sugar can lead to a life that isn’t so sweet anymore. Sugar comes in many forms, including white sugar, brown sugar, cane sugar, etc. However, once digested, most sugars end up as glucose and are used by the body in the same way. Why is too much added sugar, in any form, not beneficial to health?
Weight Gain
Added sugar provides extra calories with little nutritional value. These extra, “empty” calories can cause you to feel full, leaving less room for healthy, nutrient-rich foods. Over time, extra calories can lead to weight gain, and being overweight can increase the risk of many chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, certain types of cancer, and more.
In 2016, the World Health Organization published a report on ending childhood obesity, stating that there were an estimated 41 million children under 5 years of age considered overweight or obese in the year 2014. What was one of their suggestions for combatting childhood obesity? Taxing sugary drinks! Several countries have recognized that sugary drinks and foods are linked to an increased risk of obesity and are striving to reduce sugar intake among both children and adults.
You may want to be extra cautious about sugary drinks, as these tend to be packed in much more sugar than you might expect.
Did you know that 1 can of coke has 39 grams of sugar, contributing 156 calories from sugar alone?! Other drinks like bubble tea, energy drinks, and vitamin water are also high in added sugar. In fact, most bottled/canned/pre-prepared beverages are quite high in sugar - if you're curious, take a glance at a nutrition label or two next time you're out shopping!
Extra Fat
This may come as a surprise, but eating more sugar than your body needs can lead to increased body fat. While our bodies need some sugar to function properly, once we eat more than we need, the extra sugar is converted to fat. The best way to consume sugar that your body needs is to eat whole grains, such as brown or wild rice, barley, whole oats, whole grain bread, etc.
Oral Health
Those who consume sugary foods or drinks often should remember to practice good oral hygiene, as sugar will contribute to cavity formation. One simple tip is to rinse your mouth with water after eating or drinking, even if you are just having a simple snack. Another tip is to limit sugary snacks and drinks!
What about alternative sweeteners?
Such as agave syrup, brown rice syrup, honey, etc. While these may provide minerals and antioxidants not found in table sugar, they are still made up of the same building blocks: fructose and/or glucose. It’s still easy to pack in extra calories with them, and other foods are better sources of the minerals and antioxidants they provide. The overall message is to watch how much you use.
With all these high-sugar foods and drinks surrounding us, we definitely don’t need any extra sugar in our multivitamins!
With Allysian Smartkids™, taste the natural flavours of 8 organic super fruits with just the right amount of sweetness from inulin, sparing us the extra calories while contributing prebiotic benefits and fibre!
Allysian Smartkids™ contains 0 SUGAR and is Sweetened with Inulin, a Prebiotic and Source of Fibre
What is inulin? A plant fibre that provides health benefits and a slightly sweet taste while contributing minimal calories!
Inulin is part of a group called fructans, which are found in many foods, including agave, artichokes, asparagus, bananas, leeks, garlic, onions, yacón, jícama, and wheat.
Allysian Smartkids™ sources inulin from chicory root, one of the foods with the highest concentrations of inulin.
Inulin is also a type of prebiotic, helping to improve digestion, immunity, and overall health.
Prebiotics help Balance Gut Bacteria for Improved Digestion, Immunity, and Overall Health
Prebiotics act as a food source for “good” bacteria in the intestine, supporting their growth and nourishment. While more research is needed, small, well-designed studies have found that prebiotics may help with:
- Improved bowel health
- Increased calcium absorption
- Weight management
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