Sugar is one of the most commonly used condiments in daily cooking. In fact, most processed foods bought off the shelves in the supermarket contain some form of artificial sweetener added to enhance the taste. One example is the variety of carbonated beverages, flavored sodas, and fruit juices sold. A 12-ounce can of soda contains 10 teaspoons or 39 grams of sugar. Consuming sugary beverages affects one’s health in the following ways.

Triggers type 2 diabetes
Sodas are laced with artificial sweeteners that rapidly increase blood sugar levels in the body. Frequently consuming these sugary beverages causes healthy cells to become less resistant to natural insulin produced by the body. Insulin resistance combined with increased blood sugar severely increases the risk of diabetes.

Leads to joint problems
Fructose, a form of sugar, is one of the known risk factors linked to certain types of arthritis, mainly gout. It leads to the build-up of uric acid crystals in the big toe. Consistently consuming excessive amounts of sugar can trigger flare-ups associated with gout and worsen the pain.

Causes dental problems
Sugar left behind in the crevices of the teeth and healthy gums triggers problems like cavities and infections. That’s because the bacteria feed off excess sugar left behind after consuming sweetened juices, flavored sodas, and carbonated beverages. Also, most of these beverages are highly acidic and cause the enamel or outer layer of the teeth to wear out prematurely.

Can lead to heart disease
Excess sugar consumption is harmful to cardiovascular health. Increased blood glucose levels further trigger cholesterol-related complications and affect metabolic activities. These imbalances lower immunity and increase the chances of a heart attack, even for adults who are not at risk of developing cardiovascular problems.

Triggers cognitive decline
Studies suggest excess sugar consumption leads to early cognitive decline. Sugar slows down the functioning of the brain, triggering inflammation of tissue in the organ. This can lead to decreased memory, loss of focus and affects one’s attention span. Also, excessive sugar intake in any form increases the risk of dementia.

Reducing sugar intake by monitoring calories is one way to lower the risk of known chronic disorders. This should be done with healthy lifestyle changes that boost metabolism and immunity.