Post 1
Everything we eat breaks down into tiny molecules that our body can use, e.g., meat turns into protein, which helps our muscles to grow. The body always requires fuel to function, especially the brain. Glucose and fats (good fats) are the energy sources of the body. Metabolism of glucose from healthy food sources e.g., sweet potato, pumpkin, carrot, beetroot, green beans, etc., stimulates insulin release, enabling the cells to “ingest” the glucose and use for immediate fuel, or converted to glycogen and stored in the liver for use later (Scapin, Fernandes, & Proenca, 2017).
Excess sugar (glucose) consumption is converted to triglycerides (fats) and stored in adipose tissues generating overweight and obesity. These sugars are found in soft drinks, cakes, biscuits, bread, breakfast cereals, granola bars, milo, etc, etc. and increase blood glucose levels (DiNicolantonio & Berger, 2016). Continually increased blood glucose levels overwhelms the body’s metabolic processes leading to metabolic issues – e.g., hyperglycaemia, hyperinsulinaemia and oxidative stress (DiNicolantonio & Berger, 2016). Continued consumption of these foods leads to obesity, diabetes, CVD, diabetes and cancer (to name a few). As the body continues to metabolise the processed sugar, it depletes vitamins thiamine, riboflavin and niacin which are necessary for the oxidation of glucose to generate fuel for the body (DiNicolantonio & Berger, 2016). Phosphates are also depleted in this process leading to cellular ATP depletion, inflammation and damage to the mitochondria (the fuel center of the cell) (DiNicolantonio & Berger, 2016). Energy levels come crumbling down ie: that “sugar crash” experienced after consuming sugary foods. Because the body requires energy to function, this depletion of ATP production, increases the body’s hunger signals, stimulating the quest for more food, which leads to weight gain (DiNicolantonio & Berger, 2016).
Overconsumption of these sugars elevates insulin levels leading to two consequences. 1. The body’s ability to use glucose as energy decreases (DiNicolantonio & Berger, 2016). 2. The inability to utilise the body’s other energy source, fats (DiNicolantonio & Berger, 2016), due to inhibition of lipase, reducing fat availability from adipose tissues (DiNicolantonio & Berger, 2016). This starvation of nutrients leads to undernutrition and malnutrition (DiNicolantonio & Berger, 2016), even though the body is overweight or obese. Increased fructose and glucose levels also wreak havoc on gut flora. Bacteria and yeast thrive on these sugars, especially Candida albicans. This yeast fights for glucose and other nutrients required by the host’s body. Therefore, the host’s body soon becomes deprived.
The body gains NO benefit from processed sugars. Therefore, with a few slight changes to your food choices and replacing as many sugary foods with fresh fruits and vegetables, you will feel and see the difference in your body. You will experience increased energy levels and a lighter waistline. Give it a go! What do you have to lose (apart from excess weight)?
References:
DiNicolantonio, J. J., & Berger, A. (2016). Added sugars drive nutrient and energy deficit in obesity: a new paradigm. Open Heart 2016, 3, 1 – 6. doi: 10.1136/openhrt-2016-000469
Scapin, T., Fernandes, A. C., & da Costa Proenca, R. P. (2017). Added sugars: Definitions, classifications, metabolism and health implications. Revista de Nutrição, 30(5), 1 – 16. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1678-98652017000500011
