Sugar Consumption and Metabolic Disease

Have you heard about metabolic disease? You probably haven’t, but you have heard about heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Metabolic disease is a group of issues that develop and can increase your chances of having heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Symptoms of metabolic disease, or metabolic syndrome, can widely vary, but some common factors of people who suffer from it include more weight around your middle, insulin resistance, high blood pressure and a reduction in the levels of good cholesterol. Metabolic disease is influenced by lifestyle factors and age, but diet has a lot to do with it. Sugar consumption and metabolic disease seems to be directly related, so we’re going to explore the foods that you need to avoid in order to stay healthy and reduce your chances of developing metabolic disease. 

• There is a strong link between regularly consuming sugary drinks like soda, juice and sports drinks and metabolic disease. Having as little as one soda a day can greatly increase your chances of elevated blood pressure, which is one of the factors that contribute to metabolic disease. The issue with sweetened beverages is that all age groups are at risk, even young kids whose parents give them juice on a regular basis.  

• We all know that added sugar is not good for you, but artificial sweeteners, which aim to replace added sugar as a “healthier alternative” are just as dangerous. Replacing added sugar with artificial sweeteners has the same effect on your body – you still have an increased chance of gaining weight, developing diabetes or even heart disease.

• Diet soda used to be considered a “healthy” alternative to consuming regular soda, because diet soda has zero calories and zero added sugar. But what you need to keep in mind is that the added sugar is replaced with other chemicals and additives that are also not good for us. Drinking diet soda is just as harmful as drinking a regular soda, and it’s not worth the risk. It’s best to stick to water and unsweetened beverages that will satisfy your thirst and help you stay hydrated. 

• In an effort to offer healthier food options many big companies in the food and beverage industry have aimed to remove trans-fat for their products. Trans fat is typically in food that is made using hydrogenated oils and fats, which can seriously increase your chances of becoming overweight and developing heart disease. There are many foods that contain trans fats, such as baked goods and sweets. If you are trying to turn your health around you should be vigilant when reading ingredient labels and stay away from foods that have any amount of trans fats in them. 

• Consuming too much sugar can cause your insulin levels to spike, which over time can increase your chances of developing metabolic disease or type 2 diabetes. Sugar is an empty calorie and when it is added to food it can lead to increased calorie consumption and significant weight gain, which can put pressure on your heart, bones, muscles, joints and other major organs. If you have already developed metabolic disease it’s very important that you stay away from refined sugars and carbohydrates, which are often found in highly processed foods like bread and cookies. 

• There’s no denying that drinking alcohol is a very socially acceptable and desirable pastime, especially when hanging out with friends and family. But alcohol does contain sugar, and excess consumption can put a lot of pressure on your body. When you drink you consume a large number of calories, which can add up and lead to weight gain, and drinking a lot of alcohol can raise your blood pressure and make you more vulnerable to heart disease. No matter what your drink of choice is – beer, wine, hard liquor – it’s always best to limit your consumption and don’t indulge often. 

• Everyone knows that processed foods are bad for you – a healthy and balanced diet should be made up of whole, natural and organic foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and fish. Highly processed foods are low in nutritional value and they’re usually loaded with salt, sugar and preservatives, which can contribute to an unhealthy lifestyle and metabolic disease. 

If you are struggling with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and excess fat around your middle you may already be struggling with symptoms of metabolic disease. But you can turn this around! With a proven weight loss program, strong commitment and a supportive team you can turn your life around and become a healthier, better version of yourself. Contact us to learn more about our services!