How Does Sugar Affect the Human Body?

Overview

Bowl of sugar

Sugar: The Good,The Bad and The Ugly

Diabetic taking a blood test

Sugar affects the human body in many ways. Some of these ways are good, some bad and some of the affects are very ugly. Energy created from sugar ingested into the body is one of the good ones. Humans need energy to function and the best sugars for this are ones listed on the glycemic index with a low rating. These sugars are let into the blood stream at a slower absorption rate which is healthy for the human body.
The bad and ugly news associated with sugars is that most are processed into all kinds of foods humans eat. These sugars often carry a high glycemic index rating which means that the sugars are absorbed into the bloodstream faster. This causes the pancreas (the organ which maintains sugar levels in the body) to give off insulin. Insulin is used to drop the blood-sugar levels in the body. Not only does this fluctuation in blood-sugar levels put stress on the human body but it also can lead to diabetes, increased chance of coronary disease and also interfere with the absorption of calcium and magnesium into the human body.

Bad Sugars And Foods They Are Found In

Toast and jam

There are three types of sugars that get processed into everyday foods. These sugars are sucrose which is known most often as table sugar, fructose or high-fructose which is corn syrup and dextrose which is sugar derived from corn. Almost all foods have one or more of these ingredients. Common foods such as bread, peanut butter, sauces, jams, syrups and condiments have this type of sugar processed into them often to keep them fresh or to preserve them. Foods that carry more than one variety of sugar can throw the human body out of sync which can then lead to the health complications already mentioned.

Sugars and Other Health Issues

Dentist looking in patients mouth

Diabetes, coronary problems and the interference of other nutrients to the human body are not the only health risks involved with the consumption of too much sugar. Other problems such as obesity, suppression of the immune system, tooth decay, kidney problems, depression and hypertension can occur. There are many other problems associated with eating the wrong sugars or too many sugars too quickly. Reading labels and looking for foods that are naturally processed with low glycemic index rankings can help you eat healthier.