Sugar an Opiate?? - Optimum Health

SUGAR: It’s NOT Sweet For Your Digestion

POSTED ON MAY 27, 2016 BY DREW CANOLE

Sugar may be sweet, but when it comes to your health and feeling your BEST… the consequences will definitely have you singing a different tune.

The truth is, if you are eating a “standard American diet”, then you have been OVERLOADED with sugar.

As a result, your health has taken a toll. From headaches to digestive distress, the effects of sugar are wide reaching.

Sugar, Sugar Everywhere

It’s MUCH more than the spoonful or two that you stir into your morning coffee. You see, the thing is that sugar is a sneaky little bugger that hides out in many of the “healthy” food you are eating.

You are well aware of the sugar in sweet treats such as cookies, ice cream, donuts and cakes. However, did you know that sugar is also loaded into sauces, soups, breads, yogurt, frozen dinners, fruit juices and many, many more products that are marketed to you as being “healthy”.

As a result, you are most likely consuming much more sugar than is recommended. According to the American Heart Association, you should follow these guidelines:

MEN
9 teaspoons OR
36 grams, 150 calories

WOMEN
6 teaspoons OR
24 grams, 100 calories

While some of these health problems may seem a bit extreme to you, there is one MAJOR and far reaching impact that sugar is having on your health… and you may not even realize it.

The problem?

Sugar is an effective destroyer of your digestion and gut health!

Let’s take a closer look at what sugar is doing to your digestion.

Sugar and Digestion

Sugar has a HUGE impact on your digestive system:

Promotes Bad Bacteria to Flourish

There are both good and bad bacteria throughout your digestive system
- The health of your digestive system relies heavily on having a balance between the good and bad bacteria in your gut.
Sugar provides fuel for unhealthy bacteria
Bad bacteria produce fats that promote:
- Allergy
- Inflammation
- Eczema
- Insulin resistance
- Weight gain
Bad bacteria create toxins, metabolic by-products, and inflammatory molecules that interfere with digestion and also adversely impact your brain
Inflammation is the root cause of many modern day diseases!

Feeds Candida (yeast)

Candida overgrowth in your intestines makes you feel:
- Tired
- Irritable
- Brain fog
- Poor concentration
Results in bloating, gas, and other unpleasant digestive effects
Excess candida can cause intense carbohydrate cravings
Other symptoms of candida overgrowth include:
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle and joint pain
- Blocked sinuses
- Depression
- Food and chemical sensitivities
- Sleep problems
- Recurrent infections (urinary tract, vaginal yeast)

Leaky Gut Syndrom

When there are high levels of candida growing in your digestive tract, they compromise the structural integrity of your gut lining
Your gut becomes more permeablethan it should be
- Allows high levels of toxins naturally present in your bowel to get into your bloodstream
- Undigested food particles leak through your gut lining
Is a precursor to:
- Allergies
- Food intolerance
- Chemical sensitivity
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Autoimmune disease

Leading Contributor to Obesity

Leads to decrease satiety (feeling “full” and satisfied)
Sugar is highly addictive, making it extremely difficult to control your consumption
- Causes cravings for more sugary foods

Linked to Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions, including increased blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, excess belly fat and abnormal cholesterol
Excess sugar consumption, especially fructose, increases your risk of developing metabolic syndrome (study).

Now, if you’ve read this far and wondering to yourself, “What the heck am I supposed to eat?”… don’t worry – I’ve got your covered.

If you suspect that sugar is damaging your digestion (which it most likely is), the first step to take is to drastically cut out the majority of processed and packaged foods.

It is time to bring it back to the basics!

With the sugary junk now gone, stock your kitchen and pantry with fresh, whole foods such as:

Vegetables: leafy greens, cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, peppers, onion, etc.
Fruits: Berries (blueberry, strawberry, raspberry), banana, melons
Nuts and Seeds: almonds, pumpkin, chia, flax, walnuts
Healthy fats: avocado, coconut oil, olive oil
Lean protein: Grass-fed meat, organic chicken
Whole grains: Quinoa, brown rice, whole wheat
Natural Sweetener: stevia, raw honey

The easiest “rule” to follow when making food choices is:

“If it CAME from a plant – EAT IT. If it was MADE in a plant – DON’T.”

– Michael Pollan

By taking action today and working to reduce your sugar intake, not only will you restore your digestive health, but also be well on your way to feeling the BEST you’ve ever felt.

This entry was posted in Alternative, Articles, Featured, Nutrition and tagged diet hacks to boost your energy, easy energy boosting lifestyle hacks, easy energy-boosting habits can anyone can adopt, give yourself a natural energy boost with these life hacks, simple hacks to increase your energy, ways to boost mental energy levels.

Disclaimer: The techniques, strategies, and suggestions expressed here are intended to be used for educational purposes only. The author, Drew Canole, and the associated www.fitlife.tv are not rendering medical advice, nor to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any disease, condition, illness, or injury. It is imperative that before beginning any nutrition or exercise program you receive full medical clearance from a licensed physician. Drew Canole and Fitlife.tv claim no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the material presented here.