Joy Onuorah

Consuming sugar can be quite pleasurable. However, the aftermath of excessive consumption can be rather devastating if care is not taken.

Can cause weight gain

Consuming too much added sugar, especially from sugary beverages, increases your risk of weight gain and can lead to visceral fat accumulation.

May increase your risk of heart disease

Consuming too much added sugar increases heart disease risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure and inflammation. High-sugar diets have been linked to an increased risk of dying from heart disease.

Has been linked to acne

High-sugar diets can increase androgen secretion, oil production and inflammation, all of which can raise your risk of developing acne.

Increases your risk of Type 2 Diabetes

A high-sugar diet may lead to obesity and insulin resistance, both of which are risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

May increase your risk of cancer

Too much sugar can lead to obesity, insulin resistance and inflammation, all of which are risk factors for cancer.

May increase your risk of depression

A diet rich in added sugar and processed foods may increase depression risk in both men and women.

May accelerate the skin ageing process

Sugary foods can increase the production of AGEs, which can accelerate skin ageing and wrinkle formation.

Can increase cellular Ageing

Eating too much sugar can accelerate the shortening of telomeres, which increases cellular ageing.

Drains your energy

High-sugar foods can negatively impact your energy levels by causing a spike in blood sugar followed by a crash.

Can lead to fatty liver

Eating too much sugar may lead to NAFLD, a condition in which excessive fat builds up in the liver.

Other health risks;

Aside from the risks listed above, sugar can harm your body in countless other ways.
Research shows that too much added sugar can:

Increase kidney disease risk: Having consistently high blood sugar levels can cause damage to the delicate blood vessels in your kidneys. This can lead to an increased risk of kidney disease.

Negatively impact dental health: Eating too much sugar can cause cavities. Bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar and release acid byproducts, which cause tooth demineralization.

Increase the risk of developing gout: Gout is an inflammatory condition characterized by pain in the joints. Added sugars raise uric acid levels in the blood, increasing the risk of developing or worsening gout.

Accelerate cognitive decline: High-sugar diets can lead to impaired memory and have been linked to an increased risk of dementia.