SEPT 10- If you’re like many people, you may be eating and drinking more sugar than you realize because it’s added to so many foods and beverages. That added sugar means added calories.
Some experts also suspect there’s a relationship between added sugars and obesity, diabetes and heart disease, but this view is controversial.
Does that mean you can or should avoid added sugar? Not necessarily. Read on to learn more about added sugar, including where it’s most commonly found.
A few facts about sugar
All sugar, whether natural or processed, is a type of simple carbohydrate that your body uses for energy. Fruits, vegetables and dairy foods all naturally contain sugar.
“Added sugar” refers to sugars and syrups added to foods during processing. Desserts, sodas, and energy and sports drinks are the top sources of added sugar for most Americans.
Why is sugar added to so many foods?
Sweetness has an almost universal appeal. So adding sugar to processed foods makes them more appetizing. But sugar is also added to foods because it:
Boosts flavor
Gives baked goods texture and color
Helps preserve foods, such as jams and jellies
Fuels fermentation, which enables bread to rise
Serves as a bulking agent in baked goods and ice cream
Balances the acidity of foods containing vinegar and tomatoes
Why is added sugar a problem?
Foods with a lot of added sugar contribute extra calories to your diet but provide little nutritional value.
In addition, added sugar is often found in foods that also contain solid fats.
Eating too many foods with added sugar and solid fats sets the stage for potential health problems, such as,
Poor nutrition
If you fill up on foods laden with added sugar, you may skimp on nutritious foods, which means you could miss out on important nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Regular soda plays an especially big role.
It’s easy to fill up on sweetened soft drinks and skip low-fat milk and even water — giving you lots of extra sugar and calories and no other nutritional value.
Weight gain
There’s usually no single cause for being overweight or obese.
But added sugar may contribute to the problem. Many foods and beverages contain lots of sugar, making them more calorie-dense.
When you eat foods that are sugar sweetened, it is easier to consume more calories than if the foods are unsweetened.
Increased triglycerides
Triglycerides are a type of fat in the bloodstream and fat tissue.
Eating an excessive amount of added sugar can increase triglyceride levels, which may increase your risk of heart disease.
Tooth decay
All forms of sugar promote tooth decay by allowing bacteria to proliferate and grow.
The more often and longer you snack on foods and beverages with either natural sugar or added sugar, the more likely you are to develop cavities, especially if you don’t practice good oral hygiene.
