Sugar, which is a sweet simple sugar, is a major additive in sweets, beverages, cakes, and various processed foods. When it contains a lot of sugar, it gives a feeling that fatigue is relieved and mood improves after eating it with a sweet taste, so it is often consumed as a food to recover from fatigue and improve mood. This effect can be felt due to the release of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine in the brain. However, the satisfaction, satisfaction, and stress calming effects of sugar intake are only temporary, and over time, the brain’s reward system is stimulated, which intensifies the desire to consume more sugar. And if we consume too much sugar without controlling the proper amount, the mineral balance of our body is broken and at the same time, it causes a number of problems such as a sharp rise in blood sugar, an increase in body fat, an increase in harmful bacteria in the intestine, and a decrease in immunity. .
In addition, if the habit of consuming too much sugar continues for a long time and leads to sugar addiction, the accumulation of body fat increases the risk of obesity, diabetes, liver failure, high blood pressure, stroke, and kidney disease. I can. According to a Harvard University study, those who drank one to two drinks a day with added sugar had a 20% increased risk of metabolic syndrome and a 26% increased risk of diabetes compared to those who did not drink it. has been announced. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of the various symptoms of excessive sugar intake and to properly control the intake. So, from now on, let’s find out in more detail what kind of abnormal symptoms appear when you consume too much sugar.
Symptoms of Excessive Sugar Consumption
1. Fatigue
When you feel tired and tired, when you eat a variety of foods containing a lot of sugar, you will feel energetic and relieve fatigue. However, these effects are only temporary, and when the rapidly rising blood sugar quickly drops again, you will feel more tired than before you took the sugar.
In addition, the habit of consuming sweets repeatedly causes rapid rise and fall of blood sugar, which increases blood sugar volatility. This repetitive change in blood sugar increases the resistance of insulin, which controls blood sugar, and increases the risk of diabetes.
2. Weight gain
When you consume sugars such as simple sugars, you get an immediate source of energy your body needs. However, if you consume a large amount, it will be used as energy and there will be a lot of remaining sugar. The remaining sugar is converted to glycogen and accumulated in the form of fat in various parts of the body, causing weight gain. In addition, excessive consumption of sugar stimulates the appetite center of the brain, making it difficult to feel full, which can cause overeating and binge eating. Overeating and binge eating also cause weight gain, which increases the likelihood of obesity. Studies have also reported that excessive sugar intake increases the risk of obesity by 1.39 times.
3. Skin troubles
Consuming too much sugar causes inflammation and toxins in the body. And this action causes skin imbalance, causing acne and blemishes, and causing skin troubles such as dry skin. In addition, if excessive sugar intake continues for a long time, it not only generates free radicals, which are known as the main cause of aging, but also interferes with the normal synthesis of collagen, a hard protein that makes up skin tissue, so it can be the main cause of wrinkle formation and accelerated aging. there is said to be.
4. Increased number of colds
Excessive intake of simple sugars causes inflammation, toxins and free radicals, which act as a factor that lowers the immune function that acts as a shield for our body. And this weakened immunity increases the risk of various physical abnormalities and diseases. Among them, colds are closely related to the immune system, so if you catch a cold frequently for no apparent reason, it may be related to your current sugar intake, so it is important to reduce excess intake.
5. Decreased brain function
Excessive sugar intake not only reduces the ability to transmit signals between brain cells, but it also atrophys the hippocampus, which is located inside the temporal lobe, which stores memories and regulates emotional behavior, leading to a decrease in brain function. This decline in brain function causes various problems such as memory, concentration, and cognitive ability, and at the same time, if it is prolonged, the risk of dementia due to aggravation of brain damage increases.
6. Increased Depression
Excessive consumption of sugar can also act as a cause of depression and anxiety. Excessive sugar intake stimulates the central nervous system of the brain and disturbs the neurotransmitters that are directly involved in mood and behavior, as well as triggers a neuroinflammatory response, leading to depression and severe mood swings.
In addition, if such sugar addiction continues for a long time, it is said that in addition to depression and anxiety, it can cause symptoms of blurred hair and severe stress. Also, if you abruptly stop eating sugar, you may experience a symptom called sugar blues, a withdrawal phenomenon that amplifies anxiety and depression, so it is recommended to reduce excess intake.
Management Habits to Control Sugar Intake
It is important to consume an appropriate amount to reduce the physical symptoms caused by excessive sugar intake and to prevent problems caused by sugar addiction. It is recommended to reduce the intake of fructose-containing foods such as cakes, chocolate, instant coffee, various desserts, and carbonated drinks, including bread, which is eaten instead of meals, and reduce the intake of vegetables, fruits, nuts, and grains. Also, it is said that choosing fruits with low sugar content rather than fruits with high sugar content helps to control sugar intake. Also, please note that using an artificial sweetener that replaces sugar with a certain amount of calories removed while preserving the sweetness can be one way to reduce excessive sugar intake.
