Sweet summertime treats affect body

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July 8, 2012

Sweet summertime treats affect body

BY LIZ JONES Herald-Banner Staff The Zope Gazette Sun Jul 08, 2012, 11:33 AM CDT

ROCKWALL — Freezie pops, margaritas, ice cream, soda, sweet desserts at family picnics-sugar is everywhere you turn all summer long. It is in many things that you may not even realize. Most processed foods have hidden sugar in them. Many breads, condiments, cereal, peanut butter, and many other items have sugar added. According to research, average Americans consume around 3 pounds of sugar each week.

Here are some ways sugar can affect your health (Source: www.nancyappleton.com)

Sugar can suppress the immune system.

Sugar can upset the body’s mineral balance.

Sugar can contribute to hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, concentration difficulties, and crankiness in children.

Sugar can produce a significant rise in triglycerides.

Sugar can cause drowsiness and decreased activity in children.

Sugar can reduce helpful high density cholesterol (HDLs).

Sugar can promote an elevation of harmful cholesterol (LDLs).

Sugar can cause hypoglycemia.

Sugar contributes to a weakened defense against bacterial infection.

Sugar can cause kidney damage.

Sugar can increase the risk of coronary heart disease.

Sugar may lead to chromium deficiency.

Sugar can cause copper deficiency.

Sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium.

Sugar can increase fasting levels of blood glucose.

Sugar can promote tooth decay.

Sugar can produce an acidic stomach.

Sugar can raise adrenaline levels in children.

Sugar can lead to periodontal disease.

Sugar can speed the aging process, causing wrinkles and grey hair.

Sugar can increase total cholesterol.

Sugar can contribute to weight gain and obesity.

High intake of sugar increases the risk of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Sugar can contribute to diabetes.

Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.

Sugar can cause a decrease in insulin sensitivity.

Sugar leads to decreased glucose tolerance.

Sugar can cause cardiovascular disease.

Sugar can increase systolic blood pressure.

Sugar causes food allergies.

Sugar can cause free radical formation in the bloodstream.

Sugar can cause toxemia during pregnancy.

Sugar can contribute to eczema in children.

Sugar can overstress the pancreas, causing damage.

Sugar can cause atherosclerosis.

Sugar can compromise the lining of the capillaries.

Sugar can cause liver cells to divide, increasing the size of the liver.

Sugar can increase the amount of fat in the liver.

Sugar can increase kidney size and produce pathological changes in the kidney.

Sugar can cause depression.

Sugar can increase the body’s fluid retention.

Sugar can cause hormonal imbalance.

Sugar can cause hypertension.

Sugar can cause headaches, including migraines.

Sugar can cause an increase in delta, alpha and theta brain waves, which can alter the mind’s ability to think clearly.

Sugar can increase blood platelet adhesiveness which increases risk of blood clots and strokes.

Sugar can increase insulin responses in those consuming high-sugar diets compared to low sugar diets.

Sugar increases bacterial fermentation in the colon.

Liz Jones is the Membership & Wellness Director at Rockwall Family YMCA, located at 1210 N Goliad in Rockwall, TX.

She can be reached at: ejones@ymcadallas.org or 972-772-9622. This is part one of a two part column.

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