How Sugar Affects The Body: Everything You Need To Know

Sugar is an essential substance for life, in addition to being part of the most pleasant foods; however, this compound is a double-edged sword, before which you must have judgment. That is why today we bring you everything you must take into account regarding how sugar affects the body. We will tell you in detail.

In this article you will learn how sugar consumption affects the maintenance of a healthy life. First of all, you should know that it is in the body in the form of glucose.

Importance of glucose

Glucose is the body’s main source of energy, as it maintains vital functions such as regulation of temperature, respiration or heartbeat, among others. In itself, this molecule is in charge of giving energy to the entire organism.

It is nothing more than a simple sugar found in the blood. You can get it through food, specifically carbohydrates. These types of substances are present in flours, fruits, in rice and, of course, sweets.

When you eat, food is broken down into substances that can be used by the body. The carbohydrates are then transformed into glucose; This will later be transformed into glycogen, which will be an energy reserve that will be stored in the liver.

How does sugar affect the body?

The pancreas receives the signals that a food has been eaten and produces insulin, a hormone that will make the cells more sensitive so that they can take up glucose. It is the bridge that allows the passage of glucose.

This shows that consuming carbohydrates is crucial for you to keep the body active and vital, but you must do it in adequate amounts. It’s no secret how delicious sweets, pizzas, pasta, and many other high-carbohydrate foods are.

You must remember that the latter translate into huge amounts of sugar. This in turn represents damage to the body itself, a lethal weapon; excess glucose in the blood, called hyperglycemia, does not mean that you will have a more energetic body. In fact, there is evidence that confirms that an excessive consumption of sugars increases the risk of getting sick.

Consequences of excess sugar in the blood

This surplus generates diseases such as type 2 diabetes, where the pancreas still produces insulin but the cells are unable to capture it and become resistant to this hormone. What does this imply? The body will be unable to absorb glucose and you will be fatigued.

In addition, excess sugar has a particular effect: urine becomes acidic. This causes deficiency in the work of the different systems that make up the body. It can also generate different conditions, causing ketoacidosis.

Likewise, there are another series of damages generated by excess glucose:

• Weight gain, as the liver transforms this excess fat into adipose tissue, which can even cause obesity.
• The brain, the master organ, is severely affected by excessive sugar intake,  according to a study published in Frontiers in Bioscience. 
• As the kidneys are responsible for filtering what harms the body, there is an overload of work for them. This could later translate into kidney failure if this becomes repetitive, according to current scientific literature. This process generates an insatiable thirst, as well as a very frequent urge to urinate, the most representative signs of hyperglycemia.

• Tissues in general would be in danger, as this condition accelerates the oxidation process of cells.

• An effect that is rarely mentioned has to do with the impact on an emotional level, precisely because of all that alteration in the functioning of the brain. You can become highly irritable and annoyed with a rise in blood sugar.

Sugar may be necessary, in moderate amounts

With all this we do not mean that you have to completely eliminate sugar consumption, but rather that it is necessary to moderate your intake. In this way, energy needs can be met without overloading the functioning of the systems that make up the body.

Also note that regular physical activity reduces the impact of sugar on the body. For this reason it is recommended, as it improves health. Through sport, the efficiency of the systems is increased and the chances of developing diabetes are reduced.

Sugar affects the body if consumed in excess

Remember that the body always seeks balance. An imbalance implies an attack on well-being. Eating in proper proportions and exercising is the key to enjoying a healthy and long life. Always try to control the contribution of simple sugars and prefer those complex carbohydrates.