The 12 Hazards of Refined Sugar, Caution for Sweet Tooths!

Sweet drinks are considered "comfort food" by many people. Even though it is known that a sweet tooth can lead to obesity, consuming refined sugar stimulates the release of the brain's happiness hormone, dopamine, linking the feeling of pleasure with eating sweet foods. Nutritionist Gao Minmin points out that, in addition to increasing the likelihood of obesity, refined sugar may lead to the following 12 harmful effects, which those with a sweet tooth should be aware of:

1. Weight Gain:Refined sugar increases daily caloric intake, leading to increased body fat and weight gain.

2. Tooth Decay:Sugar can acidify the oral environment and erode enamel, significantly increasing the risk of cavities.

3. Acne/Breakouts:Excess sugar intake can disrupt hormone levels, leading to skin issues.

4. Dizziness/Headaches:Fluctuations in blood sugar levels can cause headaches, dizziness, and drowsiness.

5. Accelerated Aging:Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs) in refined sugar can speed up the body’s aging processes. Those concerned about their appearance should moderate sugar intake.

6. Hormonal Imbalance:Excessive refined sugar intake leads to increased insulin secretion, and long-term insulin secretion can cause the body to become insensitive to insulin, resulting in insulin resistance.

7. Diabetes:As insulin sensitivity decreases, those with a sweet tooth are at a higher risk of developing diabetes.

8. High Blood Pressure:Sugar can irritate blood vessels, leading to increased blood pressure.

9. Increased Blood Lipids:Refined sugar can elevate the levels of triglycerides in the blood.

10. Cardiovascular Diseases:Excessive refined sugar intake can raise blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipids, leading to vascular aging and diseases like atherosclerosis.

11. Fatty Liver:Too much refined sugar can cause fat accumulation in the liver, resulting in fatty liver disease.

12. Cognitive and Emotional Impact:Chronic high blood sugar can affect brain vascular health, potentially leading to cognitive decline and poor emotional management.

According to public data from Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare, the daily intake of added refined sugar should not exceed 10% of total calories, and it is recommended to keep it below 5% for minimal health risks.

For example, with a total caloric intake of 1200 calories, the daily intake of refined sugar should be 30g, and the recommended limit should be below 15g. One sugar cube contains about 5g of sugar. Using popular "hand-shaken drinks" as an example, the sugar content can be calculated as follows:

· 30% Sugar: 3 sugar cubes = 15g sugar

· 50% Sugar: 5 sugar cubes = 25g sugar

· 70% Sugar: 7 sugar cubes = 35g sugar

· 100% Sugar: 10 sugar cubes = 50g sugar

A drink with 70% sugar already meets the daily sugar intake limit, so think twice.