The Harmful Effects of Sugar

Halloween was just passed and most of us will indulge in large amounts of sugary treats. Indeed, Americans spend $2.1 billion on Halloween candy treats according to the National retail Federation. The world health organization has linked sugar consumption to many chronic diseases including obesity, diabetes and cancer. In the context of a sedentary lifestyle, excess sugar intake leads to detrimental metabolic effects. Glucose, a simple sugar, is an essential part of almost every living cell. It is the fuel that energizes our metabolic machinery. For this reason, glucose blood levels are tightly regulated. Low glucose levels arrests cell functioning and high levels are toxic. Insulin is the main hormone that controls blood sugar level. Secreted by pancreatic Beta cells, Insulin leads to increased glucose uptake by liver, adipose and muscle cells. These cells deposit excess sugar in the form of fat. Over time, and with continued increased sugar consumption, (American consume 11 million tons of sugar per year) and with minimal physical activity, fat deposition increases leading to insulin resistance. The pancreas responds by secreting more insulin leading to more fat deposition and insulin resistance. This vicious circle eventually leads to pancreatic beta cell failure and the development of type 2 diabetes. Persistently elevated blood sugar levels characterize type 2 diabetes. In Houston, diabetes has reached an epidemic level affecting a large portion of our society.

Fructose is another type of simple sugar. Fructose is commonly added in the form of high fructose corn syrup to more than 90% of processed food items sold in American groceries. The liver almost exclusively metabolizes fructose. As a result, elevated fructose consumption leads to fat deposition in liver cells and increased insulin resistance. Indeed, rats maintained on a high fructose diet develop obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease in a very short amount of time.

Sugar is not only toxic. It is very addictive. Sugar intake stimulates the reward centers in the brain in a similar manner as drugs like cocaine. Interestingly, the rewarding effect is blunted in obese and diabetic people leading them to consume more sugar to have the same effect.

Take home message: Excess sugar consumption in the form of candies, drinks, and processed food… is detrimental to your health. If you consider yourself as someone who has a sweet tooth, you may be addicted to sugar. Be aware of how much sugar you are consuming and take control of your eating habits. Otherwise, you are putting yourself at risk for developing insulin resistance. Try fruits instead of candies. Fruits contain fiber, minerals and vitamins and much less sugar than man-made sweets. Eliminate all forms of sugar from your house. Most importantly, leave the couch and join a gym or hit the trail. Daily activity helps burn excess calories and tone your muscles leading to lower insulin demand. If you have diabetes or suffer from obesity, diet and exercise alone may not be enough to improve your health. Consider gastric sleeve or gastric bypass surgery as an effective and durable treatment to your metabolic disorder.