We all need a sweet treat every once in a while, but there are plenty of evidence-based health benefits of reducing refined sugars, such as desserts, processed snacks, and high-fructose corn syrup. Today, Marla Ahlgrimm shares the top 10 reasons that sugar should be used sparingly.
Reducing your sugar intake reduces glucose spikes.
Refined sugars can cause a rapid spike in your blood glucose levels. This is followed by an insulin surge, which can leave you feeling drained and lethargic. Marla Ahlgrimm notes that these rapid increases in glucose and insulin also increase your risk of type 2 diabetes, so quitting sugar can reduce your risk of this disease.
It’s easier to lose fat.
Once we reach the age of perimenopause, losing weight isn’t always easy. Marla Ahlgrimm explains, however, that we often thwart our own efforts by our snack choices. Reducing your sugar intake can naturally reduce your overall caloric intake. As a result, you may notice less fat in your abdomen, feelings of being more satisfied after eating, and more energy.
Lower inflammation levels.
If you suffer from systemic inflammation, lowering your sugar intake can help reduce it. Marla Ahlgrimm notes that eating less sugar can also improve joint discomfort and support immune function.
Your heart will thank you.
Excess refined sugars increase triglycerides and blood pressure. By lowering your intake, you reduce these risk factors that contribute to heart disease and other health concerns.
You’ll reduce your risk of fatty liver disease.
Fatty liver disease warrants a mention on its own, as this condition is often made worse by consuming sweetened beverages, including sugary coffee and soft drinks. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that cutting sugar reduces liver fat accumulation and can improve enzyme markers.
Energy will come naturally.
If you typically consume a sugar-laden drink or snack as a pick-me-up, you should know that reducing your sugar intake overall can lead to stable and long-term energy. In other words, Marla Ahlgrimm says you won’t experience the crash or the mid-afternoon slump that can lead to brain fog and lethargy.
Cravings may go away.
There’s no easy way to say this: sugar is a drug. Marla Ahlgrimm says that sugar activates your brain’s dopamine reward pathways and makes you look at food, specifically sugar, as a quick way to get a dopamine hit. By eliminating refined sugars, you’ll reduce your craving for sweets and improve your appetite regulation.
Glowing skin.
In our 40s and 50s, our skin can begin to really show the signs of aging. Reducing your sugar intake slows damage to collagen and elastin, two of the main compounds in our face that keep our skin smooth and supple. By cutting out sugar, you’ll decrease the rate at which your face ages.
Improved oral health.
Marla Ahlgrimm says that one of the damaging ways sugar can affect a woman’s health is by causing enamel erosion and cavities. Further, eating too much sugar can make it harder to maintain healthier gums, as it feeds oral bacteria. By cutting out sticky, refined sugars, you can improve your oral health and keep your teeth pearly white.
Better hormone function.
For women in their menopause era, improved hormone balance may be the number one reason to quit sugar. Marla Ahlgrimm says that by reducing your sugar intake, your body may regulate its cortisol levels, and this can result in improved PMS symptoms and a reduced risk of conditions such as PCOS, which are insulin-driven.
You don’t have to deprive yourself completely. Marla Ahlgrimm says that reducing your sugar intake does not mean cutting out everything you love. She does recommend, however, finding healthier ways to satisfy your sweet tooth. Doing so can help you experience all of the benefits above and more.
Marla Ahlgrimm has co-authored two ground-breaking books,