Sugar is a sweetener that makes your snacks and cookies taste good but the hazard associated with the consumption of sugar is far higher than the taste derived. There is no doubt that there is an increase in the demand for sugar during the holidays. This is because holidays are great cooking periods where a lot of snacks and cookies are prepared and consumed. Excessive Sugar in the diet is not ideal for healthy living. The reasons are as follows:
- Sugar can damage your heart
Although it is widely acknowledged that excessive sugar consumption can increase the overall susceptibility to heart disease, a study conducted by the Journal of American Heart Association produced in the year 2013 displayed strong evidence that consumption of sugar can destroy the pumping mechanism of the heart thereby promoting the risk of heart failure. The study actually identified starch, glucose metabolite and G6P (Glucose 6 Phosphate) as the molecules present in sugar that can damage the human heart.
- Sugar promotes belly fat
The increase in the Adolescent obesity rates is connected with the excessive consumption of sugar. Schools are all filled with various type of snacks and cookies which are overloaded with sugar. These in turn causes fat accumulation in the trunk area of the body. A study conducted in the year 2010 identified excessive consumption of fructose as the causal agent of the maturity of visceral fat cells preparing the stage for a big belly and future risk of diabetes and heart disease.
- Sugar and alcohol have similar toxic liver effects
A paper produced by Journal nature in the year 2012 warned the public that sugar can do similar damage in the body as that done by the consumption of alcohol. The authors of the said paper provided evidence that fructose and glucose when consumed in excess can have a toxic effect on the human liver.
What is the way out?
It is no longer news that sugar now has safe substitutes. These are Xylitol and Erythritol. Xylitol on one hand is a naturally occurring carbohydrate that tastes and looks like sugar. Xylitol has zero calories and doesn’t increase blood sugar levels. Erythritol is also a naturally occurring sweetener that has no calories and taste like sugar. The benefits of Xylitol and Erythritol over Sugar are as follows:
- Unlike Sugar, Xylitol and Erythritol do not contain calories and increase blood sugar levels:
The major disadvantage of sugar is its calorie content which may promote unhealthy fat. However Xylitol and Erythritol are an healthy alternative to sugar that contains no calories and do not increase blood sugar levels. When you use Xylitol and Erythritol to make snacks and cookies, it tastes equally great and you are not at risk of diabetes or heart failure.
- Xylitol and Erythritol promotes Dental Health:
Sugar promotes the growth of bacteria in the mouth, however Xylitol and Erythritol starves the bacteria in the mouth. The advantage of this is that when you make cookies and snacks with Xylitol or Erythritol instead of sugar, you are promoting your oral health and you will not be bothered by the tooth decay usually associated with the consumption of sugar.
- They are easier to digest than sugar
There is no doubt that the consumption of sugar is usually linked with diarrhea. Diarrhea occurs when the small intestine is unable to totally digest sugar. The benefit of Erythritol and Xylitol is that they are easier to digest so you wouldn’t be worried of diarrhea when you use Erythritol and Xylitol to make your snacks and cookies.
- Do not cause obesity
Another advantage of Erythritol and Xylitol is that they do not promote the growth of fat cells in the body like Sugar does.
References
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kristin-kirkpatrick-ms-rd-ld/dangers-of-sugar_b_3658061.html
http://www.intoxicatedonlife.com/2013/01/04/xylitol-health-benefits
http://www.bodyecology.com/articles/erythritol_what_you_need_to_know_natural_sugar_substitute.php
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