Are you a sugar addict?
It’s hard not to be when sugar is added to so many of our food and drinks; often, we don’t even know it. It’s already naturally occurring within most of our daily fruit intake, so why add it?
Because it makes everything taste better. And it’s addictive as it causes a dopamine release to the brain, so we want more and more. And so we buy more and more sugar-laden products keeping big business in business.
According to Wikipedia, the world produced about 168 million tonnes of sugar in 2011. The average person consumes about 24 kilograms (53 lb) of sugar each year (33.1 kg in industrialised countries).
This is an incredible and shocking amount being ingested, when we know the health implications of sugar include:
- Tooth decay
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Type II diabetes
- Insulin resistance
- Increased cancer risks
- Weight gain and obesity
I was having 2 heaped teaspoons in my coffee or tea back in time plus doughnuts, cakes, biscuits, soft drinks, anything really … without giving it much thought. Following my detox, I started to wean myself, and I did this through just cutting back half a tsp at a time over a 2-week period, so I hardly noticed it. The last half tsp was the hardest to kick (and took longer) I have to admit, but I did it. I still have the occasional indulgent sweet treat, but have eliminated soft drinks choosing water, and I haven’t looked back.
Are you willing to make a sugar shift in your diet? Share with us, what is your one sugary thing you can start to cut back for your healthier life?
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