Reducing your sugar intake – add years to your life, and life to your years

Sugar - the main culprit for many illnesses including diabetes, heart disease and strokes. It’s important to know your facts and change your lifestyle accordingly, as this will add both years to your life and life to your years.

Be aware of your sugar intake this National Obesity week.

How does sugar affect various types of my body?

Brain

Although a high intake of sugar is commonly associated with unhealthy hearts, the effects upon the brain are rarely discussed. A high amount of sugar can rewire the pathways in the brain, meaning diets high in sugar-heavy or processed foods can increase your risk of depression by 58%.

Heart

Many of you will be aware of the negative effects a diet high in sugar can cause on the organ that keeps our blood pumping. Sugar inflames the linings of the arteries, which increases your risk of both strokes and heart attacks…so why isn’t this changing people’s dieting habits?

Kidneys

An overload of sugar in your diet can lead to diseases such as diabetes. This can then have a knock on effect on the filtration system of your kidneys, which is why diabetes is one of the main causes of kidney failure.

Now you’re aware of the huge impacts high levels of sugar can have upon your organs, it’s time to talk about visible effects. High levels of sugar can cause aging, wrinkling skin, which in turn may begin to affect your confidence. Excess sugar can also have a negative effect on your genitals, impairing blood flow which in turn increases the risk of erectile dysfunction in men and decreases sexual arousal in women.

How can I easily reduce my sugar intake?

Making small changes to your diet every week is the sensible way of reducing your sugar intake and increase the chances of a long-term change being embedded into your lifestyle. It can be as simple as putting one less sugar in your tea or coffee or opting for water instead of fizzy drinks for your hydration. Not only does this reduce your sugar intake, but keeps your kidneys healthier too (and saves you a bit of money). An easy way to curb your cravings is not to have fizzy drinks in your house, save them as a real treat when you’re enjoying a meal out.  

It’s important to enjoy sugar in moderation, as overindulgence can cause some lifelong health worries such as those written above. Just remember, everything in moderation tastes so much better!

If you’re worried about your sugar intake and overall health, book in for a wellness check, a GP appointment or even see one of our specialist endocrinologists today 01582 714 420.