We all give into cookie cravings every now and then. But, it’s best to keep these moments of weakness few and far between, says women’s health experts Marla Ahlgrimm. Why? Because sugar is quite simply an empty calorie that’s bad for human health.
According to Marla Ahlgrimm, sugar is little more than empty calories. This means the body doesn’t really know what to do with them, and they don’t turn into usable energy. What sugar does, however, is cause a host of issues, including weight gain, diabetes, and cavities.
Marla Ahlgrimm explains that people in the United States tend to consume around 300 calories per day that come from sugar. This comes in many forms, from creamers added to our coffee to candy bars eaten on the go. Because the body burns sugar calories much faster than others, people tend to get hungrier faster after eating sugary treats.
Sugar is also a contributing factor to diabetes. While sugar does not directly cause diabetes, it does significantly increase a person’s risk, particularly for people who consume multiple sugary drinks each day. Drinking and consuming sugar is also a fast-track toward cavities, says Marla Ahlgrimm. This is because sugar actually eats away at a protective coating on the teeth.
Perhaps most alarming is that people who consume high amounts of sugar are more likely to have heart disease than their non-sugar-eating counterparts. This is another circumstance where excess consumption of sugary drinks, including sodas and sweet tea, may be the culprit.
Ultimately, Marla Ahlgrimm says there’s nothing wrong with giving in every once and a while. However, she explains that it’s best to leave added sugar foods for special occasions, and stick to healthier sugars, such as those that come from fruit, for every day indulgences.
Marla Ahlgrimm has co-authored two ground-breaking books,