How dangerous is sugar to our health?

The main danger is in the way we consume it.

Is there much of a difference?

Many healthy foods have sugar in them. That’s rarely the problem. People rarely get into trouble for eating too many apples. The main issue is in concentration.

• An average apple will have around 10–15 grams sugar.
• An average candy bar will have 40–50 grams.

Contrary to popular belief, processed sugar and sugar found in fruits aren’t that different. They are both made out of fructose and glucose. The ratio of those two ingredients is also quite similar. But the processed sugar is much more concentrated, as you can see in the comparison between an apple and a candy bar above.

Compare it to alcohol. Higher concentration of alcohol means you’ll get drunk more easily. Higher concentration of sugar makes it easier to overdo it and suffer the consequences.

The truth lies in the content.

Fruits, honey, and other, more natural sources of sugar, have better nutritional qualities, vitamins, and lower concentrations of sugar. Processed foods with added sugar have a higher percentage of said sugar and fewer vitamins and other micronutrients present in natural foods.

Sugar is sweet, delicious, and addictive.

It has great value per gram. That’s why our bodies think they’ve hit a nutritional jackpot when they get that sweet taste. But, as you can see, we usually have access to more sugar than we need, and that causes severe health issues.

Eating too much refined sugar has been linked to increased risks of:

• Obesity.
• Heart disease.
• Diabetes.
• Skin problems (acne, wrinkles).
• Digestive problems (sugar ferments in our gut.)

The rich flavor comes at a price. Better not pay it and avoid sugar overdoses.