Poison known as sugar: 5 Ways Sugar is Killing You

Most adults know that sugar is detrimental to their health. Yet, our eyes glaze over and our mouths water when we look at tempting glazed doughnuts neatly lined up on the store’s glass display.

Temptation gets the better of most people, and the next thing you know, they’re chomping and munching away on the doughnut and getting a sugar high which will crash in an hour and leave them feeling awful.

Sugar is a lot more harmful than it appears to be. Let’s see how it ruins one’s health in the long run…

1. Inflammation

2. Obesity

3. Addictive

4. Raises your risks

5. Accelerates aging

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Inflammation

For starters, sugar increases inflammation in the body. In fact, no other food on the planet inflames the body more than sugar. Continuous consumption of sugar will cause chronic inflammation.

With inflammation, you’ll notice that your body seems to ache and feel weary for no reason. You’re listless, lethargic and just don’t feel good.

Inflammation is the leading cause of high cholesterol levels. Most cholesterol in the body is produced by the body to protect the cells. When sugar inflames the cells in your body, it will create the waxy substance known as cholesterol to protect the cells.

So, the best way to reduce your cholesterol levels will be to reduce your sugar intake drastically. Sugar is much more deadly than the fatty meats and eggs that you’ve been led to believe are dangerous.

Obesity

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions because the food manufacturing industry has added high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) into most of its processed foods.

By eliminating processed foods such as sodas, cookies, ice creams, etc. you’ll eliminate a very ‘aggressive’ processed sugar from your diet. In fact, just removing processed foods from your diet is enough to help you lose several pounds of excess weight easily.

Addictive

The most insidious characteristic of sugar is its addictive nature. The more sugar you consume, the more you’ll crave for it. Studies conducted on animals have shown that sugar is more addictive than cocaine.

In fact, it’s the most widely consumed substance on the planet and has been taking a toll on our health for the past few decades.

When you consume a sugary food or drink, you’ll experience a blood sugar spike and a ‘high’. You’ll feel happy for an hour or two – but will then experience a sugar crash that does not feel good.

The only way to remedy the problem will be to consume some other sugary food. This is a never-ending vicious cycle that holds millions of people hostage and leads them to obesity and other health problems.

Raises your risks

Besides just causing inflammation, raising your cholesterol level and setting the stage for obesity, sugar raises your risk of many other serious health problems.

Cancer cells feed off sugar. So does candida.

The obesity that arises from a high sugar intake also leads to cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness, amputations and kidney failure.

The health problems that are directly and indirectly linked to a high sugar intake is something that most people never discover and they merely think that sugar just ‘makes you fat’.

It’s imperative to understand that it does much worse than that.

Accelerates aging

Just when you thought it couldn’t get worse, it does. Sugar accelerates the aging process. So, if you wish to retain your youthful good looks and stay in the pink of health, sugar is to be avoided.

These 5 points are just the tip of the massive sugar iceberg. There are so many more negative consequences from consuming excessive amounts of sugar that you could write an entire book on it.

The best thing you can do is to monitor your sugar intake and reduce your consumption of it as much as you can. You may indulge in your daily cup of coffee with two sugar cubes or the occasional soda… BUT do not let the occasional indulgence turn into cravings until it becomes an addiction. Be wary.

OM

Food For Thought: Healthy Food For Mental Clarity

The brain is the epicenter of it all. It controls your entire life. Yes, your cardiovascular system keeps the blood pumping, but the brain controls everything. That's why your brain must stay at optimal mental clarity. However, we all have days where we lack that mental clarity. We cannot focus, recall memory, or concentrate. Some call it "brain fog," and others call it mental fatigue. Either way, you don't want your brain clouded, but what can you do about it? Fortunately, making a few nutritional changes to your diet can clear up the fog and get you back to mental clarity.

Olive Oil

Olive oil, extracted from green olives, is as versatile as it is healthy for the brain. Olive oil is a liquified fat that provides healthy unsaturated fat for optimal brain function and the preservation of its long-term health. Since olive oil is versatile, it can be used on salad dressing, sautéing, or boiling. Olive oil is loaded with biologically active antioxidants such as oleocanthal and oleuropein. These protect your cells against oxidative stress. Excess free radicals damage the brain cells and can cause certain neurodegenerative disorders.

Avocados

Avocados have long been hailed for their healthy monosaturated fat, potassium, and magnesium content. Potassium helps facilitate nerve and blood flow to and from the brain to the heart and muscles. Magnesium helps keep the brain cells healthy and, as olive oil also does, helps prevent certain neurological disorders.

Salmon

Finally, it's no secret that salmon is loaded with healthy fatty acids. The omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon help keep your neurons strong against inflammation and injury. These fatty acids also promote more oxygen flow to the brain, reduce brain fog, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and keep it healthy against diseases.

There are many types of foods that can keep your brain healthy, but consuming healthy foods is just as important as cutting out unhealthy processed foods. Making the right combination of lifestyle changes can help you achieve mental clarity.

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6120115/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5193071/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6024559/

Flatten Your Tummy in 3 Simple Steps

You can have the lean, flat stomach you've always wanted! Make these nutrition, exercise, and posture tips part of your daily life and you'll blast away your belly fat.

Eating for a Flat Stomach:

1. Maintain healthy body weight. If you're already above your ideal weight, you'll need to burn more calories than you consume to lose those excess pounds. It's great to tone your stomach muscles, but they'll remain hidden until you shed any fat that covers them.

2. Get plenty of fiber. A diet high in fiber will help prevent bloating. Whole wheat and other grains also help you feel fuller faster, and most vegetables are low in calories.

3. Cut down on sodium. Many people eat twice as much sodium as health experts recommend. Too much salt can lead to high blood pressure as well as bloating. The biggest culprit is processed food, so read those nutrition labels and prepare your own dishes from fresh ingredients. Drinking plenty of water also helps to lower your sodium levels.

4. Eat smaller meals. If lavish dinners make your belly bulge, try switching to smaller and more frequent meals. Eat 5 to 6 times a day every 3-4 hours. You'll be less likely to get hungry and overindulge.

5. See your doctor. If you're losing weight but failing to see any change in your waistline, talk with your doctor. There are tests that can detect if you have food allergies. You may need to avoid certain foods or take enzyme drops or tablets for lactose intolerance.

Exercising for a Tighter Tummy:

1. Understand the myth of spot reduction. Your body gains weight all over and loses it the same way. Forget about the miracle gadgets advertised on television that promise instant results. Save your money and devote your energy to more sensible eating and regular exercise.

2. Do aerobics daily. Aerobic exercise is the best way to burn more calories. Take a daily walk or run. Go swimming or skating. Aim for about 30 minutes of activity a day. Supplement that with lifestyle changes like using the stairs instead of the elevator.

3. Strengthen your upper body muscles. Building strong muscles in your shoulders, chest, and back will improve your posture and keep your abdomen from sticking out. Do some weight training or Pilates a few times each week.

4. Tone your stomach muscles. Spot exercises are effective in combination with aerobics and strength training. Crunches and leg lifts tighten and tone your stomach muscles.

5. Have fun. Make your exercise routine enjoyable so you'll want to stick with it. Design a variety of activities. Reward yourself when you make progress towards a slimmer waistline.

Improving Your Posture:

1. Tuck your tummy in. Imagine that you're pressing your navel back against your spine. Even if it feels a little awkward at first, it will quickly become a habit with regular practice. The results are fast. Your abdomen will look flatter. You'll breathe more deeply and feel more energetic. Even your clothes will look better.

2. Pull your shoulders back. Letting your shoulders drop back and relax helps to raise your chest up. This way, all of your core muscles support your weight instead of making just your abdomen carry the load.

3. Keep your body in alignment. Whether sitting or standing, try to position your ears, shoulders, and hips in one vertical line. Balance your weight evenly over the balls and heels of your feet while walking or standing. Switch positions occasionally when sitting or standing for a long time.

A flat stomach can work wonders on your health and appearance. Eat right, exercise, and stand up straight. You'll love your new look.