A little bit of sugar is essential for a healthy body. While that might sound strange, it’s absolutely true. Our ancestors relied on sugar-rich ripe fruits for energy, heart-healthy antioxidant nutrients, and fat storage, which ensured their survival during lean times. However, modern times have changed the way we consume sugar, and research shows that it’s no wonder heart disease is a top killer.
Processed Sugar: A Silent Enemy
We live in a world that’s bombarded with processed sugar. It’s everywhere – out in the open and hidden in places we would never suspect. This type of sugar can do a great deal of damage to our bodies, including compromising heart function and harming our cardiovascular system.
One study from the University of Otago in New Zealand on the effects of sugar shows that the kind we’re fed warps heart function and harms the capacity of your cardiovascular system. This review of other studies uncovered a range of data that shows sugar increases your blood pressure and also leads to a harmful cholesterol imbalance.
Johns Hopkins University found that too much sugar throws off basic heart rhythm itself. Additionally, University of Otago researcher Lisa Te Morenga reports that the only studies that show sugar doesn’t hurt the heart are those funded by food companies trying to demonstrate that sugar is safe to eat.
The Deception of Sugar-Funded Research
Te Morenga’s research shows that when the sugar industry funded research, the experiments were slanted to downplay sugar’s effects: “… by excluding the trials funded by the food/sugar industry, we found [even] larger effects of sugar on lipids and blood pressure.”
In essence, sugar-funded research has been manipulating the truth to make us believe that sugar doesn’t harm us. But the reality is far from it.
The Dangers in Excess
While consuming sugar in moderation doesn’t pose any significant harm, excessive consumption can lead to significant health problems. When you consume too much sugar, your body’s demand for insulin increases, and over time, this can result in the pancreas losing its ability to produce insulin altogether.
Excessive consumption of sugar can also lead to obesity, a condition that can further increase your risk of developing heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, consuming too much sugar over an extended period can result in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, causing the liver to become resistant to insulin and increase your risk of diabetes.
Go Back to the Roots: Eat Ripe Fruit
So, what can be done to prevent these health issues caused by sugar consumption?
The best advice is to go back to the eating habits of our ancestors, who had little or no heart disease. That means sticking with ripe fruits for the sugar you need. But don’t limit yourself to just oranges and cherries – there are dozens of exotic and sweet fruits loaded with incredible amounts of nutrients and plant antioxidants called polyphenols.
For example, the aronia berry (or chokeberry) is a North American powerhouse fruit that has more antioxidant strength than dark chocolate, flax, olives, or blueberries. Red aronia berries are sweeter than black ones (which look like blueberries), but the black variety has higher antioxidant power.
Health food stores often carry a variety of exotic fruits that offer the natural sweetness you crave and provide essential nutrients for your body. Some popular exotic fruits include lychee, mangosteen, rambutan, dragon fruit, and kiwano.
Conclusion: The Key Is Moderation
Sugar is essential for good health, but only when consumed in moderation. Processed sugars, which are found in a multitude of products in our modern world, can cause significant harm to our bodies and result in the development of various health issues.
Going back to the roots of our ancestors and consuming sugar from ripe fruits is a great way to maintain a healthy sugar intake and avoid the dangers associated with excessive consumption. By choosing natural sources of sugar, such as fruits loaded with antioxidants and essential nutrients, you’ll not only satisfy your sweet tooth but also ensure good health and overall well-being.
